Changes in the microelement composition of the heart of rats under chronic intoxication with cadmium

Abstract

Cadmium is a heavy metal that enters the body in various ways, is involved in metabolic processes, accumulates in tissues and organs and can cause pathological changes and diseases. Thus, cadmium significantly affects the condition of the liver and kidneys, nervous, cardiovascular and reproductive systems. Copper and zinc show the ability to compete with cadmium for certain receptors or metabolic pathways, which allows them to reduce its negative effects. This may open prospects for the use of copper and zinc as potential bioantagonists. This competitive process can lead to a decrease in the absorption of cadmium by cells, which, in turn, reduces its toxic effect. The interaction of cadmium with copper or zinc is a complex process, and indicators of the level of accumulation of these metals in the embryos and hearts of female rats, as well as indicators of the heart mass index, can somewhat clarify the toxicological and antagonistic nature of these interactions. Understanding these processes is important for the development of strategies to protect against cadmium toxicity and the further development of preventive measures in maintaining heart health. The study was conducted on pregnant female Wistar rats during the entire gestation period, which were divided into 4 groups. Indicators of quantitative accumulation of cadmium, copper and zinc in the embryos and hearts of females in all four groups were analyzed, which made it possible to reveal certain regularities of interactions between copper and zinc in relation to cadmium.