Studies on the uptake of trivalent and hexavelent chromium by onion (Allium cepa)

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to examine the uptake and translocation of root-absorbed trivalent and hexavalent state of chromium in the onion plant (Allium cepa) grown in soil and sand culture. Chromium content in plant tissues increased with increasing amount of added chromium. Distribution of chromium in the plant in general, found to be in the order: root>>bulb>shoot. Higher uptake in the plants grown in sand from both the sources of chromium was observed as compared with the corresponding values for soil culture. Morphological and growth effects of the treatments of different oxidation state of chromium indicated that higher doses of Cr(VI) [150 and 300 μg mL^?1] were more toxic to the onion plants compared to equivalent doses of Cr(III).     

Studies on the genotoxic effect of chromium oxide (Cr VI): Interaction with deoxyribonucleic acid in solution

Chromium is a toxic and carcinogenic compound widely distributed in environment. In the present study we have investigated the interaction of chromium oxide with DNA employing UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as Circular dichroism, thermal denaturation, retardation polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and DNA-cellulose affinity techniques. The results showed that the binding of chromium oxide to DNA is concentration dependent; at low concentration shows a little effect but ant higher concentrations (>100 μg/ml) reduced the absorbance at 260 and 210 nm producing hypochromicity. Also λ_max of the metal at 210, 260 and 350 nm was reduced. DNA chromophores quenched with the chromium oxide and decreased fluorescence emission intensity. Upon binding of the metal to DNA the elliplicity at positive extreme was decreased (275 nm) and increased the ellipticity of the DNA at negative extreme 245 nm. Thermal denaturation profile of DNA shifted to higher degrees upon chromium oxide binding which accompanied by hypochromicity. Also, affinity of chromium oxide to double stranded DNA was higher than single stranded DNA. From the result it is concluded that chromium oxide interacts with DNA via two modes of interaction inducing structural changes and DNA compaction evidence providing chromium oxide genotoxicity.     

Uptake of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) compounds in the yeast cell structure

The study presented in this article investigated the influence of different Cr(III) and Cr(VI) compounds in the cultivation medium on the uptake and localization of chromium in the cell structure of the yeast Candida intermedia. The morphology of the yeast cell surface was observed by the scanning electron microscopy. Results demonstrated that the growth inhibitory concentration of Cr(III) in the cultivation medium induced changes in the yeast cell shape and affected the budding pattern, while inhibitory concentration of Cr(VI) did not cause any visible effects on morphological properties of the yeast cells. The amount of total accumulated chromium in yeast cells and the distribution of chromium between the yeast cell walls and spheroplasts were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. No significant differences were found neither in total chromium accumulation nor in the distribution of chromium in yeast cell walls and spheroplasts between the two of Cr(VI) compounds. Conversely, substantial differences between Cr(III) compounds were demonstrated in the total uptake as well as the localization of chromium in yeast cells.     

Effect of organic Cr(III) complexes on chromium speciation

Abstract

Chromium speciation in the presence of organic chromium(III) complexes was investigated using solid-phase extraction. The adsorptions of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) on alumina and pumice powder were studied. Maximum sorption of Cr(VI) was obtained by alumina (90.22%), while Cr(III) was highly adsorbed onto pumice powder (86.65%). This result shows that pumice may be a new and promising adsorbent for Cr(III). The experimental equilibrium data for Cr(VI) adsorption onto alumina and Cr(III) sorption onto pumice were analysed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The separation and adsorption of Cr(VI), Cr(III) and five organic chromium(III) complexes onto pumice and alumina at different pH values were evaluated. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), oxalate, citrate, glycine, alanine and 8-hydroxyqinoline were used as ligands. Sorption of alanine and ethylenediaminetetraacetate complexes was higher onto alumina than pumice at pH>3. The enhancement of adsorption of chromium(III) complexes onto pumice was achieved by surface modification of pumice using a surfactant, namely hexadecyltrimethylammoniumbromür (HDTMA). The presence of surfactant enhanced the adsorption of Cr(III) citrate, oxalate, glycine and 8-hydroxyquinoline complexes onto pumice. However, the adsorption of EDTA and alanine complexes decreased, with ratio of 13.40% and 4.00% respectively. Here we demonstrate that chromium speciation methods depending on adsorption onto various adsorbents including alumina may lead erroneous results. Analytical measurements were performed by flame AAS, data were obtained by standard addition method.     

Probing the behavior of bovine serum albumin upon binding to atenolol: insights from spectroscopic and molecular docking approaches

Molecular interaction of atenolol, a selective β₁ receptor antagonist with the major carrier protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), was investigated under imitated physiological conditions (pH 7.4) by means of fluorescence spectroscopy, UV absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and molecular modeling studies. The steady-state fluorescence spectra manifested that static type, due to formation of the atenolol-BSA complex, was the dominant mechanism for fluorescence quenching. The characteristic information about the binding interaction of atenolol with BSA in terms of binding constant (K_b) were determined by the UV–vis absorption titration, and were found to be in the order of 10³ M^?1 at different temperatures, indicating the existence of a weak binding in this system. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the binding process was primarily mediated by van der Waals force and hydrogen bonds due to the negative sign for enthalpy change (ΔH⁰), entropy change (ΔS⁰). The molecular docking results elucidated that atenolol preferred binding on the site II of BSA according to the findings observed in competitive binding experiments. Moreover, via alterations in synchronous fluorescence, three-dimensional fluorescence and FT-IR spectral properties, it was concluded that atenolol could arouse slight configurational and micro-environmental changes of BSA.     

Soil chromium bioremediation: Synergic activity of actinobacteria and plants

The aim of this work was to evaluate a strategy to reduce the bioavailable chromium fraction in soil, using a Cr(VI) resistant microorganism, Streptomyces sp. MC1, under non sterile conditions, with maize plants as bioindicator and/or bioremediator.Soil samples were contaminated with 100, 200 and 400 mg kg⁻¹ of Cr(VI) or Cr(III). Bioavailable chromium (35%) was only detected in samples with Cr(VI). Soil samples with Cr(VI) 200 mg kg⁻¹ were inoculated with Streptomyces sp. MC1, and bioavailable chromium decreased up to 73%.Zea mays seedlings were planted in soil samples contaminated with chromium. Plantlets accumulated chromium mainly as Cr(III), and biomass decreased up to 88%. Streptomyces sp. MC1 was inoculated in soil samples contaminated with 200 mg kg⁻¹ of Cr(VI) and Z.mays seedlings were planted.Streptomyces sp. MC1 caused Z.mays biomass increase (57%), chromium accumulation and bioavailable chromium decreased up to 46% and 96%, respectively.This work constitutes the first contribution of cooperative action between actinobacteria and Z.mays in the bioremediation of Cr(VI) contaminated soil. The large removal capacity of bioavailable chromium by Streptomyces sp. MC1 and Z.mays infers that they could be successfully applied together in bioremediation of soils contaminated with Cr(VI).     

Uptake and distribution of chromium in Saccharomyces cerevisae exposed to Cr(III)-organic compounds

Abstract

The present study investigates the influence of different Cr(III)-organic compounds [Cr(III)-citrate and Cr(III)-histidine] in growth-nonsupportive exposure medium on the uptake and localisation of chromium in the cell structure of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisae. The amount of total accumulated chromium in yeast cells and the distribution of chromium between the yeast cell walls and spheroplasts were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Chromium accumulation potential was shown to depend on treatment time, metal concentration as well as the nature of the bound ligand. Chromium uptake was characterised by a time-dependent increase of total chromium which suggests that the amount of cell-accumulated chromium also tended to increase over time. Cellular chromium accumulation (mg g^?1 dry wt) of Cr(III)-histidine is higher than Cr(III)-citrate. The pH dependence pattern of chromium accumulation is similar for both of the Cr(III)-organic compounds: pH 6.5>pH 5>pH 8. Substantial differences were found between the two Cr(III)-organic compounds, in the total chromium accumulation as well as in the distribution in yeast cell walls and spheroplasts.     

Speciation of chromium in chromium yeast

High-performance liquid chromatography was used to separate Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in samples with detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS). The separation was achieved on a weak anion exchange column. The mobile phase was pH 7.0 ammonium nitrate solution. The redox reaction between Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was avoided during separation and determination. This separation method could be used to separate the samples with large concentration differences between Cr(III) and Cr(VI). The alkaline digestion was used to extract chromium in solid sample, which had no effect on the retention time and the peak area of the Cr(VI). However, the conversion of Cr(VI) from Cr(III) was observed during alkaline digestion, which displayed positive relation with the ratio of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in samples. Both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) contents of chromium yeasts cultured in media with different chromium additions were determined. The spike recoveries of Cr(VI) for chromium yeasts were in the range of 95–108 %.     

Incision of trivalent chromium [Cr(III)]-induced DNA damage by Bacillus caldotenax UvrABC endonuclease

Some hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]-containing compounds are lung carcinogens. Once within cells, Cr(VI) is reduced to trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] which displays an affinity for both DNA bases and the phosphate backbone. A diverse array of genetic lesions is produced by Cr including Cr–DNA monoadducts, DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), DNA–Cr–protein crosslinks (DPCs), abasic sites, DNA strand breaks and oxidized bases. Despite the large amount of information available on the genotoxicity of Cr, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the removal of these lesions from damaged DNA. Recent work indicates that nucleotide excision repair (NER) is involved in the processing of Cr–DNA adducts in human and rodent cells. In order to better understand this process at the molecular level and begin to identify the Cr–DNA adducts processed by NER, the incision of CrCl₃ [Cr(III)]-damaged plasmid DNA was studied using a thermal-resistant UvrABC NER endonuclease from Bacillus caldotenax (Bca). Treatment of plasmid DNA with Cr(III) (as CrCl₃) increased DNA binding as a function of dose. For example, at a Cr(III) concentration of 1 μM we observed 2 Cr(III)–DNA adducts per plasmid. At this same concentration of Cr(III) we found that 17% of the plasmid DNA contained ICLs (0.2 ICLs/plasmid). When plasmid DNA treated with Cr(III) (1 μM) was incubated with Bca UvrABC we observed 0.8 incisions/plasmid. The formation of endonuclease IV-sensitive abasic lesions or Fpg-sensitive oxidized DNA bases was not detected suggesting that the incision of Cr(III)-damaged plasmid DNA by UvrABC was not related to the generation of oxidized DNA damage. Taken together, our data suggest that a sub-fraction of Cr(III)–DNA adducts is recognized and processed by the prokaryotic NER machinery and that ICLs are not necessarily the sole lesions generated by Cr(III) that are substrates for NER.     

Study on the interaction between anti‐tuberculosis drug ethambutol and bovine serum albumin: multispectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric approaches

The binding of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to ethambutol (EMB) was investigated using spectroscopic methods, viz., fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet (UV)/vis absorption and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Spectroscopic analysis of the emission quenching at different temperatures revealed that the quenching mechanism of serum albumin by EMB is static, which was also confirmed by lifetime measurements. The number of binding sites, n, and binding constant, K, were obtained at various temperatures. The distance, r, between EMB and the protein was evaluated according to the Förster energy transfer theory. Based on displacement experiments using site probes, viz., warfarin, ibuprofen and digitoxin, the site of binding of EMB in BSA was proposed to be Sudlow's site I. The effect of EMB on the conformation of BSA was analyzed by using synchronous fluorescence spectra (SFS) and 3D fluorescence spectra. The results of fluorescence, UV/vis absorption and FTIR spectra showed that the conformation of BSA was changed in the presence of EMB. The thermodynamic parameters including enthalpy change (ΔH⁰), entropy change (ΔS⁰) and free energy change (ΔG⁰) for BSA–EMB were calculated according to the van't Hoff equation and are discussed.     

Fluorescent bovine serum albumin interacting with the antitussive quencher dextromethorphan: a spectroscopic insight

The interaction of dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXM) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) is studied by using fluorescence spectra, UV–vis absorption, synchronous fluorescence spectra (SFS), 3D fluorescence spectra, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and circular dichroism under simulated physiological conditions. DXM effectively quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA. Values of the binding constant, K_A, are 7.159 × 10³, 9.398 × 10³ and 16.101 × 10³ L/mol; the number of binding sites, n, and the corresponding thermodynamic parameters ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° between DXM and BSA were calculated at different temperatures. The interaction between DXM and BSA occurs through dynamic quenching and the effect of DXM on the conformation of BSA was analyzed using SFS. The average binding distance, r, between the donor (BSA) and acceptor (DXM) was determined based on Förster's theory. The results of fluorescence spectra, UV–vis absorption spectra and SFS show that the secondary structure of the protein has been changed in the presence of DXM. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of the interaction between sodium salts of (2E)‐3‐(4'‐halophenyl)prop‐2‐enoyl sulfachloropyrazine and bovine serum albumin by fluorescence spectroscopy

Three sodium salts of (2E)‐3‐(4'‐halophenyl)prop‐2‐enoyl sulfachloropyrazine (CCSCP) were synthesized and their structures were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, LC‐MS and IR. The binding properties between CCSCPs and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied using fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with UV–vis absorbance spectroscopy. The results indicate that the fluorescence quenching mechanisms between BSA and CCSCPs were static quenching at low concentrations of CCSCPs or combined quenching (static and dynamic) at higher CCSCP concentrations of 298, 303 and 308 K. The binding constants, binding sites and corresponding thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS, ΔG) were calculated at different temperatures. All ΔG values were negative, which revealed that the binding processes were spontaneous. Although all CCSCPs had negative ΔH and positive ΔS, the contributions of ΔH and ΔS to ΔG values were different. When the 4'‐substituent was fluorine or chlorine, van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds were the main interaction forces. However, when the halogen was bromine, ionic interaction and proton transfer controlled the overall energetics. The binding distances between CCSCPs and BSA were determined using the Förster non‐radiation energy transfer theory and the effects of CCSCPs on the conformation of BSA were analyzed by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Binding of chromium(VI) to histones: implications for chromium(VI)-induced genotoxicity

The first evidence has been obtained for Cr(VI) (chromate) binding to isolated calf thymus (CT) histones under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, Cl⁻ concentration 152 mM, 310 K). No significant Cr(VI) binding under the same conditions was observed for other extracellular and intracellular proteins, including albumin, apo-transferrin and G-actin, as well as for CT DNA. The mode of Cr(VI) binding to histones was studied by vibrational, electronic and X-ray absorption (X-ray absorption near-edge structure and X-ray absorption fine structure) spectroscopies and molecular mechanics calculations. A proposed binding mechanism includes electrostatic interactions of CrO₄ ²⁻ with protonated Lys and Arg residues of histones, as well as the formation of hydrogen bonds with the protein backbone. Similarly, Cr(VI) can bind to nuclear localization signals (typically, Lys- and Arg-rich fragments) of other nuclear proteins. Selective binding of Cr(VI) to newly synthesized nuclear proteins (including histones) in the cytoplasm is likely to be responsible for the active transport of Cr(VI) into the nuclei of living cells. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Exploration of interaction of canthaxanthin with human serum albumin by spectroscopic and molecular simulation methods

The interaction between the food colorant canthaxanthin (CA) and human serum albumin (HSA) in aqueous solution was explored by using fluorescence spectroscopy, three‐dimensional fluorescence spectra, synchronous fluorescence spectra, UV–vis absorbance spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectra and molecular docking methods. The thermodynamic parameters calculated from fluorescence spectra data showed that CA could result in the HSA fluorescence quenching. From the K_SV change with the temperature dependence, it was concluded that HSA fluorescence quenching triggered by CA is the static quenching and the number of binding sites is one. Furthermore, the secondary structure of HSA was changed with the addition of CA based on the results of synchronous fluorescence, three‐dimensional fluorescence and CD spectra. Hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces played key roles in the binding process of CA with HSA, which can be obtained from negative standard enthalpy (ΔH) and negative standard entropy (ΔS). Furthermore, the conclusions were certified by molecular docking studies and the binding mode was further analyzed with Discovery Studio. These conclusions can highlight the potential of the interaction mechanism of food additives and HSA.     

Chromium uptake,retention and reduction in photosynthetic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euglena gracilis</Emphasis>

Photosynthetic Euglena gracilis grown with different K₂CrO₄ concentrations was analyzed for its ability to take up, retain and reduce Cr(VI). For comparison, cells were also exposed to CrCl₃. Cellular Cr(VI) uptake at pH 7.2 showed a hyperbolic saturation pattern with K _m of 1.1 mM, V _m of 16 nmol (h × 10⁷ cells)⁻¹, and K _i sulfate of 0.4 mM. Kinetic parameters for sulfate uptake were similar, K _m = 0.83 mM, V _m = 15.9 nmol (h × 10⁷cells)⁻¹ and K _i chromate = 0.3 mM. The capacity to accumulate chromium depended on the ionic species, external concentration and pH of the incubation medium. Cr(VI) or Cr(III) accumulation was negligible in the acidic (pH 3.5) culture medium, in which Cr(VI) was abiotically reduced to Cr(III). At pH 7.2 Cr(VI) was fully stable and high accumulation (>170 nmol/1 × 10⁷ cells at 1 mM K₂CrO₄) was achieved; surprisingly, Cr(III) accumulation was also significant (>35 nmol/1 × 10⁷ cells at 1 mM CrCl₃). Cr(VI) was reduced by cells at pH 7.2, suggesting the presence of an external reductive activity. Cr(VI) induced an increased cysteine and glutathione content, but not in phytochelatins suggesting that chromium accumulation was mediated by monothiol compounds.     

Distribution and speciation of chromium accumulated in Gynura pseudochina (L.) DC.

Soil and water contamination with chromium is an issue of recent concern in Thailand due to increases in industrial activity. Gynura pseudochina (L.) DC., a chromium tolerance plant, could be employed to address this problem via phytoremediation. To understand the tolerance mechanism, this study investigated the speciation and distribution of chromium accumulated in G. pseudochina (L.) DC. using AAS, XAFS, μ-XANES, μ-XRF imaging and EPR. The plants were separately treated with K₂Cr₂O₇ and Cr₂(SO₄)₃ in a hydroponic system. μ-XRF imaging clarified the distributions of Cr, Fe, Zn, Ca, Cl, K and S within the samples. In G. pseudochina (L.) DC. treated with Cr(VI) solution, the Cr was mainly distributed in the vascular bundle and periderm of the tuber, the stem xylem, the vein and the epidermis, including the trichome of the leaf tissues. This Cr distribution corresponded to those of Cu, Fe and Zn. In G. pseudochina (L.) DC. treated with Cr(III) solution, the Cr was distributed in the periderm of the tuber, the stem cortex, and the epidermis and parenchyma of the leaf tissues. μ-XANES and XAFS indicated that highly toxic Cr(VI) was reduced to the intermediate Cr(V) and accumulated as less toxic Cr(III), and EXAFS spectra showed that the reduced Cr(III) was bound to oxygen ligands. The coordination number (N) and the interatomic distance (R) to the first shell were approximately 3–4 (N) and 2 Å (R), respectively. EPR spectra of the plant samples treated with Cr(VI) revealed the presence of Cr(V) and Cr(III). Thus, Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were taken up into the vascular system and transported from the roots to the leaves. Cr(III) was distributed via the symplast system to the ground tissue and accumulated mainly in the stem cortex. Cr(VI) was transported to the xylem via the apoplast system, and the adsorption of Cr(VI) and its reduction to Cr(V) and Cr(III) occurred on oxygen ligands in the lignocellulosic structure of the xylem and vein.     

Characterization and oxidation of chromium(III) by sodium hypochlorite in alkaline solutions

Chromium exists in nuclear waste sludges and is a problematic element in the vitrification process of high-level nuclear wastes. It is therefore necessary to treat the waste sludges to remove chromium prior to vitrification, by caustic leaching or oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of oligomerization of Cr(III) on its oxidation by hypochlorite in alkaline solutions.Monomeric, dimeric and trimeric Cr(III) species in solution were separated by ion exchange. The kinetics of the oxidation of the separated species by hypochlorite in alkaline solutions was studied by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, and compared with the oxidation by hydrogen peroxide previously studied. Results indicate that hypochlorite can oxidize Cr(III) to Cr(VI) in alkaline solutions, but the rate of oxidation by hypochlorite is slower than that by hydrogen peroxide at the same alkalinity and concentrations of oxidants. The rate of oxidation of Cr(III) by both oxidants decreases as the concentration of sodium hydroxide is increased, but the oxidation by hypochlorite seems less affected by the degree of oligomerization of Cr(III) than that by peroxide. Compared with the oxidation by hydrogen peroxide where the major reaction pathway has an inverse order with respect to C_NaOH, the oxidation by hypochlorite has a significant reaction pathway independent of [OH⁻].     

Reduction of hexavalent chromium by Pseudomonas fluorescens LB300 in batch and continuous cultures

Batch and continuous cultures of Pseudomonas fluorescens LB300 were shown to reduce hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), aerobically at neutral pH (pH 7.0) with citrate as carbon and energy source. The product of Cr(VI) reduction was previously shown and confirmed in this work to be trivalent chromium, Cr(III), by quantitative reoxidation to Cr(VI) with KMnO₄. In separate batch cultures (100 ml) containing initial Cr(VI) concentrations of 314.0, 200.0 and 112.5 mg Cr(VI) L^–1, the organism reduced 61%, 69% and 99.7% of the Cr(VI), respectively. In a comparison of stationary and shaken cultures, the organism reduced 81% of Cr(VI) in 147 h in stationary culture and 80% in 122 h in shaken culture. In continuous culture, the organism lowered the influent Cr(VI) concentration by 28% with an 11.7-h residence time, by 39% with a 20.8-h residence time and by 57% with a 38.5-h residence time. A mass balance of chromium in a continuous culture at steady state showed an insignificant uptake of chromium by cells of P. fluorescens LB300. Correspondence to: P. C. DeLeo     

Selection and properties of mutant yeast <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia guilliermondii</Emphasis> strains resistant to chromium (VI)

Yeast Pichia guilliermondii strains L3 and L2, exposed to UV mutagenesis, produced over 80 mutants capable of growing on media containing 1.5 mM bichromate (Cr(VI)). The mutations making the strains resistant to Cr(VI) were dominant or semidominant. The mutants varied in Cr(VI) resistance, the degree of chromium accumulation in the cells (from 0.1 to 11.6 mg/g dry cells), and the degree of Cr(VI) reduction (from 50% to complete disappearance of bichromate from the culture liquid). Chromium accumulation in mutant cells depended on medium composition, Cr(VI) concentration, and the time of exposure to Cr(VI). The resistance to bichromate can be caused by various reasons: decrease in chromium absorption, altered ability to reduce Cr(VI), or damage of sulfate transport mechanisms.Translated from Prikladnaya Biokhimiya i Mikrobiologiya, Vol. 41, No. 2, 2005, pp. 204–209.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Babyak, Ksheminskaya, Gonchar, Yanovich, Fedorovich.     

Effects of taurine on oxidative stress parameters and chromium levels altered by acute hexavalent chromium exposure in Mice Kidney tissue

The kidney has been regarded as a critical organ of toxicity induced by acute exposure to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] compounds. Reactive intermediates and free radicals generated during reduction process might be responsible for Cr(VI) toxicity. In this study, the effects of pretreatment or posttreatment of taurine on Cr(VI)-induced oxidative stress and chromium accumulation in kidney tissue of Swiss albino mice were investigated. Single intraperitoneal (ip) potassium dichromate treatment (20 mgCr/kg), as Cr(VI) compound, significantly elevated the level of lipid peroxidation as compared with the control group (p<0.05). This was accompanied by significant decreases in nonprotein sulfhydryls (NPSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities as well as a significant chromium accumulation (p<0.05). Taurine administration (1 g/kg, ip) before or after Cr(VI) exposure resulted in reduction of lipid peroxidation levels and improvement in SOD enzyme activity (p<0.05). On the other hand, administration of the antioxidant before Cr(VI) exposure restored the NPSH level and CAT enzyme activity and also reduced tissue chromium levels (p<0.05), whereas postreatment had only slight effects on these parameters. In view of the results, taurine seems to exert some beneficial effects against Cr(VI)-induced oxidative stress and chromium accumulation in mice kidney tissue.