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

AbstractAim: 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.