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

The antagonistic effect of calcium (Ca2+), zinc (Zn2+) and selenium (Se4+) at different concentrations (10(-2)-10(-6) M) against cadmium (Cd2+) induce d genotoxic effects in root cells of Hordeum vulgare were studied. The resu lts showed that 10(-3)-10(-5) M could induce chromosomal aberrations and mi cronuclei formation. But in the treatment with 10(-2)-10(-6) M of Ca2+, Zn2 + and Se4+ together with Cd2+ (10(-3)-10(-5) M), respectively, the frequenc ies of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei effectively decreased after 48 h of treatment. The treatment with 10(-4)-10(-6) M of Ca2+ together with 10(-4)-10(-5) M Cd2+, 10(-6) M of Zn2+ together with 10(-5) M Cd2+ and 10( -6) M of Se4+ together with 10(-5) M Cd2+ suggested rather obvious antagoni stic effects. The order of the antagonisms of Ca2+, Se4+ and Zn2+ against C d2+ toxicity was Ca2+ > Se4+ > Zn2+. The degree of antagonisms of Ca2+, Se4 + and Zn2+ against Cd2+ related to their concentration ratio. (C) 1998 Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.