Biochemical and histopathological changes of subacute cadmium intoxication in male rats.

Abstract

Biochemical and histopathological effects of subacute intoxication of rats with cadmium (Cd) were studied in rats. Twenty adult healthy male albino rats were randomly divided into two duplicate groups (five rats in each cage); (1) control group where rats were provided with standard diet and water ad-libitum, (2) Cd group where rats were subjected to freshly prepared Cd chloride solution (CdCl2) 200mg/l in drinking water daily for 8weeks, the whole duration of experiment. Blood samples were obtained after 4weeks, via retro-orbital bleeding for separation of serum. Five rats were killed, each sacrifice by decapitation for collection of kidneys and heart. Disturbed renal and cardiac functions were achieved after 4weeks as indicated by the increase of most biochemical parameters measured in the serum, renal, and cardiac tissues. Histopathological examination of kidneys and hearts showed pathological alterations in Cd-intoxicated rats after 4 and 8weeks with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome stains. It was concluded that subacute exposure of rats to Cd (200mg/l) in drinking water daily induced glomerular shrinkage, focal renal, and cardiac fibrosis at 4 and 8weeks.