Effect of cadmium ions on lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant enzymes of growing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) shoots

Abstract

The investigation of the effect of CdCl2 different concentrations (20, 50, and 100 mM Cd) on growth of germs of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has been carried out for 12 days. The influence of Cd2+ ions on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system function of wheat shoots cells has been also studied. It has been shown that increasing Cd supply decreased shoots growth (fresh weight) and induced oxidative stress as was indicated by the enhancement of lipid peroxidation rate (MDA-level). Activities of antioxidant enzymes –catalase (CAT) and guiacol peroxidase (GPX) also have been changed under Cd-stress; CAT activity was less affected and even lowered, in case when GPX activity was markedly increased. The role of plant age on formation of biosystem reaction was also discussed in present work. The very high peroxidase activity in wheat shoots, probably may be an important part of Cd-resistance machinery of wheat. The obtained results indicated that Cd-tolerance of wheat may be related with the activation of the antioxidant system to avoiding the toxicity of heavy metal.