The protective role of zinc and calcium in Vicia faba seedlings subjected to cadmium stress

PubMed ID: 20921057The 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+(10-3M, 10-5M) caused an increase in polymorphism value and a decrease in genomic template stability (GTS %). In addition, when 10-4-10-6M Ca2+, 10-6M Zn2+were added together with 10-3M, 10-4M, 10-5M 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. © 2011, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved