Injury effect of microcystins extracted from Taihu lake on chromosome and DNA

  Objective   To study the genotoxicity of microcystins extracted from waterbloom of Taihu lake and to explore it's potential harm.

  Methods   Damage of chromosome and DNA induced by microcystins was detected using micronucleus assay of mice bone marrow cell and alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis(SCGE).

  Results   Microcystins could significantly increase the mice bone marrow micronucleus frequency, and a dose-response relationship existed.SCGE indicated that microcystins might cause DNA breakage of V₇₉ cell.The grade of DNA breakage and percentage of DNA damage were significantly higher compared with matched controls.

  Conclusion   Microcystins could cause significant genotoxicity.