Caffeine's Protective Effect on Mercury-Induced DNA Level Alterations in Freshwater Bivalve, Lamellidens corrianus (Lea)

Abstract Aim: Caffeine (1, 3, 7-Trimethylxanthine) was investigated for its protective effect against mercury-induced alterations in freshwater bivalve, Lamellidens corrianus. Mercury in any chemical form denatures proteins, inactivates enzymes, and severely disrupts any tissue that it comes into contact with in sufficient concentration. Methods: Five different groups were used to study the influence on bivalve. A control group was kept in place, and bivalves in the B group were subjected to an acute dosage (LC50/2) of mercuric chloride (0.6 ppm, or 0.444 ppm Hg++), while bivalves in the C group were treated to an acute dose (LC50/2) of mercuric chloride plus caffeine (5 mg/l). Group B bivalves were separated into two groups, D and E, after four days. Bivalves in the D group that had previously received an acute dosage (LC50/2) of mercuric chloride were permitted to cure in regular water. After receiving an acute dose (LC50/2) of mercuric chloride, bivalves in the E group were given 5 mg/l of caffeine to aid in their recovery. From each of the five groups, a few bivalves were removed, and the amount of DNA in their tissues was estimated. Results: Mercury exposure caused a decrease in DNA levels, but the effect was less pronounced when caffeine was present. Conclusion: The rate of DNA recovery was faster when caffeine was present, and the rate of DNA level decrease was low when caffeine was present. This suggests that caffeine has a protective and curative effect on DNA tissue.