TOXICOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH, cilt.27, sa.1, ss.73-80, 2011 (SCI-Expanded)
The aim of the present study was to evidence the possible antagonistic effect of Zinc (Zn2+) and Calcium (Ca2+) against cadmium (Cd2+)-induced DNA damage by using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and metabolic activities in Vicia faba. The results showed that all doses of Cd2+ (10(-3) M, 10(-5) M) caused an increase in polymorphism value and a decrease in genomic template stability (GTS %). In addition, when 10(-4)-10(-6) M Ca2+, 10(-6) M Zn2+ were added together with 10(-3) M, 10(-4) M, 10(-5) M of Cd2+, polymorphism value decreased besides GTS, total protein and chlorophyll content increased. Results suggested that Zn2+ and Ca2+ have an antagonistic effect against Cd2+. The order of the antagonisms of Ca2+, Zn2+ against Cd2+ toxicity was Ca2+ > Zn2+. Especially, the degree of antagonistic effect of Zn2+ against Cd2+ is probably related to its concentration ratio.