Effect of the combined action of selenium and arsenic on suspension culture of mice fibroblasts.

The protective influence of arsenic against the toxic action of selenium has been tested on suspension cultures of mice fibroblasts LA 115. The growth of the cells was observed after the isolated and combined action of sodium arsenite NaAsO2 and sodium selenite Na2SeO3. The concentration range of both substances in cultivation medium MEm (USOL) was 10(-5) -10(-11)M. The growth of treated cultures was analyzed daily during 5 days of exposure. From the results obtained, growth curves of the cell cultures were constructed and analyzed. The results of every determination were evaluated in relation to the corresponding control culture. The results obtained demonstrate that decreasing concentrations of arsenic enhanced its protective effect in the range of the concentrations used. In contrast, a low protective effect of selenium against arsenic was noted in the concentrations employed. The cell cultures have proved to be very suitable for toxicological studies of the combined effects of different substances.