Synergistic effect of cadmium chloride and acetaldehyde on cytotoxicity and its prevention by quercetin and glycyrrhizin

Cadmium chloride at concentrations of 10-50 mM and acetaldehyde (AA) at 1-5 mM showed synergistic toxic effects on V79 cells in vitro. Furthermore, sy nergistic effects of these chemicals were also observed in mutagenicities o f the Hprt gene within certain dose ranges (cadmium chloride 5-10mM, and AA 1-2.5 mM). Moreover, lipid peroxide formation, malondialdehyde (MDA) forma tion, detected by 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction and the mitochondria l membrane potentials detected by rhodamine 123 uptake were significantly i ncreased with the combined effect of cadmium and AA in V79. Thus, the cytot oxicity and genotoxicity displayed by combination of these chemicals can be considered to be associated with oxidative stress. Further, these effects were efficiently reduced by quercetin and less efficiently with glycyrrhizi n. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.