Protective effect of zinc on cadmium-induced micronuclei in V79 cells

Summary duction of micronuclei (MN) in mitotically active cells has been widely used and promoted as a biological marker of exposure to environmental toxins. In our study the effect of zinc on cadmium genotoxicity was investigated in V 79 cells. The results indicate that cadmium chloride exposure for 24 h increased micronucleus frequency and the percentage of binucleated cells in dose-dependent manner. At the highest concentration of cadmium (50 μM Cd) 23 MN were found in 1000 cells. The protective effect of zinc on cadmium genotoxicity was investigated at lower concentrations (5–25 μM CdCl2). At 50 μM Cd, the number of MN increased significantly (16 MN).