PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF SULFOETHYLGLUCAN AGAINST HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM

The effect of pretreatment with sulfoethylglucan (SEG) on the frequenc y of micronuclei and the liver alkaline phosphatase activity induced b y potassium bichromate (Cr(VI)) in mice was evaluated. Simultaneous ap plication of SEG and Cr(VI) decreased the frequency of micronuclei in bone marrow cells (P < 0.01) and the level of liver alkaline phosphata se activity in comparison to the Cr(VI) group. Pretreatment with SEG 2 4 h prior to the first Cr(VI) application resulted in a more pronounce d decrease in the Cr(VI)-induced frequency of micronuclei. The mechani sms of the protective effects of sulfoethylglucan could be explained e ither by the formation of Cr ion complexes with sulfoethyl groups of g lucan or by the scavenging ability of SEG to trap hydroxyl radicals.