MORFOFUNCTIONAL CHANGES OF THE CELLS IN THE COMBINED EXPOSURE TO IONIZING RADIATION AND COPPER IONS IN VITRO

Abstract

Modern ecological situation is characterized by a combined action of toxicants of physical and chemical nature. A special place among them belongs to ionizing radiation and heavy metals. Experimental study investigates biological effects in cell culture under the combined action of radiation in doses of 0,5-10 Gy and copper compounds in concentrations of 0,01-10 µmol/l. The results showed that incubation of the cells with copper ions in varying concentrations leads to activation as well as to inhibition of morphological and functional cells properties. The combined action of ionizing radiation and copper ions on cells in vitro showed changes in cell viability, which was defined by the dose of radiation and trace element concentrations. Incubation of cells with copper ions causes an increase in cell resistance to irradiation at a dose of 0,5 and 5 Gy. Irradiation and the presence of copper ions separately and together induced apoptosis in cell culture.