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The objective of this study was to determine if exposure to divalent cations, Cd(2+), Ni(2+), and Co(2+) would lead to malformations in Xenopus laevis embryos, and whether addition of Mg(2+) and Zn(2+); separately and in combination, would reduce their toxicity and teratogenicity on the embryos of Xenopus laevis as assessed by 96-h FETAX tests. Results indicate that exposure to Cd(2+), Ni(2+) or Co(2+) lead to an increase in toxicity and teratogenicity in embryos, whereas Mg(2+), Zn(2+), or a combination of them reduced the toxic and teratogenic effects of these divalent cations. Modulation of Cd(2+), Ni(2+) or Co(2+) toxicity and teratogenicity by Mg(2+) and Zn(2+), varied with the metal. Zn(2+) was observed to be a better suppressor of Co(2+) toxicity and teratogenicity than Mg(2+). In contrast, Ni(2+), and Cd(2+) teratogenicity was reduced more prominently by Mg(2+). On the other hand, combination of Mg(2+) and Zn(2+) showed potentialization effect on all divalent cation toxicity and teratogenicity. We concluded that Mg(2+) and Zn(2+) reduced the toxicity and teratogenicity of Cd(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+).

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AIM: The present study purposes to examine the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) and nicotine exposures on apoptosis and necrosis ratio of cultured amniocytes. METHODS: Amniotic fluid samples were gained from 48 pregnant women and, after culturing procedure, samples were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Significant increases were observed in ratios of necrotic (UL), early (LR), and late apoptotic cells (UR) in the exposure groups of RF-EMR, nicotine, and RF-EMR + nicotine groups (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001), along with significant changes in ratios of viable (LL) cells (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that nicotine exposure, alone or in combination with 900 MHz RF-EMR, led to increased apoptotic cell ratios. Amniocytes were even more severely affected by nicotine, when nicotine was administered in combination with 900 MHz RF-EMR, due to created synergistic effect. More studies with different settings, exposure times, frequencies, and doses are needed to clarify net effects of exposures to nicotine and RF-EMR radiation, alone or in combination.