Abstract
The present study was performed in order to discern the effects of combined exposure to cadmium and mercury on liver function and histopathological alterations in male adult Wistar rats. In the present investigation, cadmium (100 mg/l) and mercury (25 mg/l) were administered orally for 10 weeks separately or in combination. The rational for studying cadmium and mercury is that both of these metals are encountered frequently in the same contaminated areas. In liver, the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate amino tranferase (AST) increased significantly in the cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) alone or in combination (Cd + Hg) compared to the control suggesting that both cadmium and mercury cause hepatotoxicity spatially when co-administrated. We noted an increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in Cd and combined Cd + Hg treated groups while it decreased in Hg treated group. There was no statistically significant change in the level of total bilirubilin. Serum urea concentration showed a significant increase in the Cd and Hg groups compared to the control group. However an increase in serum creatinine concentration was noted only in the combined treated rats showing that renal insufficiency is more serious in the co-exposed group. Light microscopic examination indicated severe histological changes in the two organs under Cd and mercury influence. Results of the present investigation clearly showed that mercury has profound effects of hepatic handling of cadmium (synergistic effect) as shown by histological and biochemical results. Moreover, we observed a antagonist effect between these two toxic metals on kidney markers such as urea.
Highlights
Human activities play a major role in polluting the environment by toxic and carcinogenic metal compounds
The present study was performed in order to discern the effects of combined exposure to cadmium and mercury on liver function and histopathological alterations in male adult Wistar rats
The activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate amino tranferase (AST) increased significantly in the cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) alone or in combination (Cd + Hg) compared to the control suggesting that both cadmium and mercury cause hepatotoxicity spatially when co-administrated
Summary
Human activities play a major role in polluting the environment by toxic and carcinogenic metal compounds. There are evidences that these metals by accumulating contaminate water sources and food chain with their compounds. Industrial pollution of the environment with metal compounds is becoming a serious problem. Heavy metals are not degraded rather accumulate in the environment and food chain [1]. The interaction between cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) can be a good example. Cadmium and mercury have proved to be extremely toxic to mankind while their usage in various industries has increased rapidly in this century [2]
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