The Effect of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics on Genotoxity in Allium Test

Abstract

The influence of aminoglycoside antibiotics (streptomycin and gentamicin) on mitosis’s pathology in the cells of root meristem Allium cepa L. in the first metaphase after processing and after finishing the recovery period is investigated. Research methods: Allium test, cytogenetic analysis, statistical analysis. The experiment was conducted on a batch of the Stuttgarter variety which is genetically unstable as the result of micronucleus test. The results of aminoglycoside antibiotics (streptomycin — in the concentration of 1000 mg/l, on exposure of 24 and 48 hours; gentamicin — 100,0 mg/l, on exposure of 48 hours) showed their negative influence and the increased growth of pathological processes in the cells of root meristem Allium cepa L. The comparative analysis of the part of clastogenic type aberrations and anogenic type aberrations according to all research methods let come to conclusion that antibiotics under test show the higher ability to cause mitosis’s pathology, connected with damage of mitotic apparatus than pathology associated with damage and disruption of chromosomes structure. Among clastogenic type aberrations chiasma and chromatid bridges dominate. Among anogenic type aberrations chromosome lagging, mitosis in some morphological variants (hyperspiralization of the chromosomes and their discharge in the metaphase; chromosome discharge in the metaphase and the anaphase); chromatic agglutination at various degree, up to formation of clots at metaphase with abnormal structures formation) dominate. It’s considered that increased duration of streptomycin action causes more negative consequences in comparison with less stress pressure. Since the recovery period partial cell repair after streptomycin occurs for 2–3 cell cycles. Under the influence of gentamicin, chromatic agglutination and single ring chromosomes were observed in 80% of the cells. These consequences have been unrepaired and after the recovery period the fatality of 90% rootlets was observed.