Effects of cadmium on rat hepatocellular DNA synthesis and cell cycle changes

  Objective   To explore effects of cadmium on rathepatocellular DNA synthesis and cell cycle changes.

  Methods   Cadmium chloride at the dose of 5, 10 and 20 μmol/kg were given to rats by i.p.and there were 5 male SD rats in each group.Hepato cellular DNA damage was measured with single cell gel electrophoresis(or comet assay), DNArelative content (DNARC)and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry.

  Results   At the dose of 5, 10 and 20 μmol/kg, cadmium chloride could reduce cell number of G₀/G₁ period significantly, the changes of proliferation index and cell number in Sand G₂/M period were not obvious.Cadmium chloride at the dose of 5, 10 and 20 μmol/kg could increase DNA damage rate and decrease DNARCsignificantly.There were negative correlation between DNA damage rate and DNA relative content.Corelative coefficient was -0.999 0(P < 0.01).

  Conclusion   Cadmium at certain dose could change cell cycle and interfere with DNAsy nthesis through increasing DNA damage rate and decreasing DNA relative content in rat's liver cells.