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+) 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 Ca2+, Zn2+ and Se4+ together with Cd2+ (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 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 antagonistic effects. The order of the antagonisms of Ca2+, Se4+ and Zn2+ against Cd2+ toxicity was Ca2+>Se4+>Zn2+. The degree of antagonisms of Ca2+, Se4+ and Zn2+ against Cd2+ related to their concentration ratio. Copyright 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.