Antagonistic effect of calcium, zinc and selenium against cadmium induced chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in root cells of Hordeum vulgare

Abstract

The antagonistic effect of calcium (Ca 2+), zinc (Zn 2+) and selenium (Se 4+) at different concentrations (10 −2–10 −6 M) against cadmium (Cd 2+) induced genotoxic effects in root cells of Hordeum vulgare were studied. The results showed that 10 −3–10 −5 M could induce chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei formation. But in the treatment with 10 −2–10 −6 M of Ca 2+, Zn 2+ and Se 4+ together with Cd 2+ (10 −3–10 −5 M), respectively, the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei effectively decreased after 48 h of treatment. The treatment with 10 −4–10 −6 M of Ca 2+ together with 10 −4–10 −5 M Cd 2+, 10 −6 M of Zn 2+ together with 10 −5 M Cd 2+ and 10 −6 M of Se 4+ together with 10 −5 M Cd 2+ suggested rather obvious antagonistic effects. The order of the antagonisms of Ca 2+, Se 4+ and Zn 2+ against Cd 2+ toxicity was Ca 2+>Se 4+>Zn 2+. The degree of antagonisms of Ca 2+, Se 4+ and Zn 2+ against Cd 2+ related to their concentration ratio.