Purpose: To observe antagonistic effects of gar li c extract(GE)and vitamin E to mutagenicity of condensates of coo king
oil fumes(COF). Methods: SCE(sister chromatid exchange) wa s observed and compared before and after addition of garlic e xtract or vitamin E in different amounts to the culture of human peripheral blood
lymphocytes containing different amou nts of COF. Then GE(1:10 000 dilution)and / or vitamin E (5 μl) were added to the culture of human peripheral blood lympho cytes containing COF 10μl to compare the changes in SCE. Results: Garlic extract(1:10 000 dilution) could lower SCE of lymphocytes(P< 0.05); Garlic extract and vitamin E had a very si gnificantly
synergistic effect on lowering SCE of lymphocytes t reated by COF(P< 0.01). Conclusions: Garlic extract and vitamin E have a synergistic effect to antagonize the mutagenicity of COF; garlic extract alone can also lower SCE of h uman peripheral blood lymphocytes.