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An assessment of the health status of ecosystems exposed to man-made pollution is a vital issue for many countries. Particularly it concerns the consequences of contamination caused by the activity of the space industry. Each rocket launch is accompanied by the introduction of parts of the rocket propellant into the environment. This study aims to scrutinize the effect of the components of rocket fuel on the induction of lipid peroxidation and chromosomal aberrations on rodents inhabiting the area exposed to pollution from Baikonur cosmodrome. The results showed the increase of the level of lipid hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde in the livers of Citellus pygmaeus Pallas and Mus musculus L., which indicates an augmentation of free radical activity and DNA damage. The cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow cells revealed that the frequency of chromosomal aberrations was a few times higher in the rodents from contaminated territory. The signs of oxidative stress and high level of chromosomal aberrations indicate the environmental impact of the cosmodrome, and its possible toxic and mutagenic effects on ecosystems.

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Background. Natural aquatic ecosystems are the habitat of many organisms, a source of drinking water, a resource for human activities and are subjected to anthropogenic pressure. In this regard, interest in studying the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of surface waters has increased significantly. The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of the surface waters of the suburban area of Almaty. Material and methods. The research materials were water samples of the rivers Esik, Turgen and Lake Esik. The atomic absorption method, lux-test, cytogenetic tests (Hordeum vulgare L.), phytotoxicity test (Allium cepa L.) and embryotoxicity (Danio rerio H.) were used. Results. Physico-chemical water analysis revealed an excess of MPC for Mn, Pb, Cd, Zn. Using the lux-test on E. coli KatG strains, the pro-oxidant activity of Esik R. water. On the plant test objects revealed toxicity and mutagenicity of water samples. The results of bio-testing of natural waters with D. rerio revealed their high toxicity and teratogenicity for embryos at all stages of development. Conclusion. The results of this study obtained on various test-systems and test-objects indicate that surface waters are contaminated by environmentally dangerous factors that pose a threat to biota and human health.

Introduction: There are an increasing number of different xenobiotics negatively influencing population health. Therefore, it is important to find effective protectors against mutagenic and toxic effects of environmental pollutants. Naturally occurring biologically active substances, the majority of which are antioxidants, are capable of functioning as modifiers of the induced mutation process. The application of various naturally occurring protectors will lower essential risks of congenital malformations, cancer, and hereditary diseases caused by mutational damages. Therefore, it is crucial to screen algal flora of Kazakhstan for the antimutagenic activity. This study involved the assessment of antimutagenic potential of biologically active polypeptide (BAP) produced in mixed microalgae cultures.Methods. 70 white outbred male rats (Rattus norvegicus) at 6 months of age were used for this study. The dosage of BAP produced by microalgae associates Anabaena flos-aquae x Anabaenopsis sp. comprised 100 mg/kg. Cadmium sulfate was used as a mutagen in a concentration of 1 mg/kg. Experiments on antimutagenic activity of BAP were carried out with the Mammalian Bone Marrow Chromosomal Aberration Test.Results. After acute and subacute exposure of BAP, the level of chromosomal structural abnormalities in rat bone marrow cells was the same as in control group. Therefore, BAP showed no mutagenic activity, whereas exposure to cadmium sulfate at used concentration induced chromosomal aberrations with a significantly higher frequency than the spontaneous mutation rate. The exposure combination of BAP with cadmium sulfate resulted in a two-fold decrease (р < 0.05) of mutagen-induced chromosomal aberrations. The range of induced chromosomal aberrations included alterations of all types both in control and experimental groups.Conclusion. Most of the genotoxic effects are mediated through oxidative stress. The repair of DNA damage is an enzymatic process, which depends on the cellular metabolic rate. It has previously been shown that many biologically active substances lead to reduction of DNA sensitivity to mutagenic damaging factors. Based on these facts and obtained results, it can be assumed that BAP from mixed microalgae cultures Anabaena flos-aquae х Anabaenopsis sp. are capable of blocking free radical process reducing the likelihood of genome damage, as well as triggering the cellular repair system.

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