Abstract
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.
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