Radioprotective and radiorepairer effect of cysteine on irradiated root meristem cells of broad bean (Vicia faba L)

The radioprotective and radiorepairer effects of cysteine have been studied before and after irradiation with gamma radiation produced by a 60 Co source. The effect of irradiation has been estimated by means of the electron microscopy images of nuclei from the radicular meristem of broad-bean (Vicia faba L) during interphase. Irradiation with gamma radiations caused a decrease of the relative quantity of DNA, throughout all the phases of the cell cycle. The cysteine treatment had a more significant effect when it was performed after gamma irradiation. On the other hand, this effect was less obvious when performed before gamma irradiation. Consequently, the cysteine has rather a radioprotective effect than a radiorepairer one. This effect was more obvious during the phase G1 and more diminished during the phase G2 of the cell cycle. (author)