Detection Of Genotoxicity Induced By Heavy Metal Ions And Gamma Radiation Using Micronucleus Assay In Mice: Pathological Evaluation

Micronuclei (MN) test is used as markers of radiosensitivity or chemosensitivity. In present study, it was investigated the frequency of MN in erythrocytes and body weight gain in 80 Mus musculus var. albinos exposed to 10 Gy gamma (γ) radiation and heavy metal ions. For this aim, it was used MN assay as an indicator of genotoxicity induced by γ–radiation and heavy metal toxication. The animals were divided into four groups: control, radiation, Hg and Pb treatment groups. They were treated with three dose levels (10, 15 and 20 μg/mL) of Hg and Pb metal ions and 10 Gy γ–radiaton was applied twice during 14 days. The initial and final weights of all mice were determined by sensitive balance in order to investigate the effect of heavy metal ions and radiation on the weight gain of mice. As a result, the frequency of MN was higher in the Hg, Pb and γ–radiation treated animals than animals in control group. Besides, MN frequency was higher in mice exposed to γ–radiation than in Hg and Pb treated mice, and differences was statistically significant (p<0.05). Histopathologically, periaciner necroses, hydropic degenerations in the liver and villous atrophy in the intestine, gastric glandular mucosae necroses were observed in treatment groups. These results indicate that MN assay is very sensitive and a useful biomarker for the evaluation of the genotoxicity.