Abstract
Hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] is a metal utilized in different industries and consequently disposed in the environment. It is a toxic substance and its reduction to trivalent Cr [Cr (III)] generates intermediates, which are responsible for the oxidation of molecules, and cause the oxidative stress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate if Cr (VI) could induce oxidative stress in Wistar rats. In this study, Wistar rats were chronically exposed to 25 and 50 ppm of potassium dichromate in drinking water for 30 days. The levels of Cr were evaluated in the blood and tissues (liver, kidneys, and lungs). Oxidative stress was determined in the liver, kidneys, and lungs and was evaluated by DFCH, TBA-RS and carbonyl test. Antioxidant enzymes were evaluated through catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Regarding the results, Cr concentration was significantly elevated in all tissues, however, it was lower in the lungs. In relation to the oxidative stress parameters, there was a significant increase of DCFH levels in the kidneys and carbonyls in liver and kidneys. Regarding the antioxidant enzymes, SOD was decreased in all organs and GPx was diminished in the kidneys. These data indicated that Cr (VI) could induce oxidative stress in the kidneys and liver due to an imbalance between oxidative and antioxidant parameters. The lungs were little affected, possibly by the lowest chromium accumulation.
Highlights
Chromium (Cr) is a hazardous metal, and the trivalent Cr [Cr (III)] and hexavalent Cr [Cr (VI)] are the most important and utilized in industries, such as electroplating, tannery, steel production, among others (Unceta, Séby, Malherbe, & Donard, 2010) due to their stability in the environment (Lushchak, 2011)
Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) was diluted in distilled water and provided to the animals for 30 days: Group I – 9 rats exposed to potable water; Group II – 9 rats exposed to 25 ppm (25 mg L-1) of K2Cr2O7 in the water (Srivastava et al, 2013); Group its reduction to trivalent Cr [Cr (III) – 8 rats exposed to 50 ppm (50 mg L-1) of K2Cr2O7 in the water
Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation
Summary
Chromium (Cr) is a hazardous metal, and the trivalent Cr [Cr (III)] and hexavalent Cr [Cr (VI)] are the most important and utilized in industries, such as electroplating, tannery, steel production, among others (Unceta, Séby, Malherbe, & Donard, 2010) due to their stability in the environment (Lushchak, 2011) The usage of this metal in the industries entails in its occupational exposure on workers (Proctor, Suh, Campleman, & Thompson, 2014), as well as the exposure on living beings in the aquatic system after its release in the environment (Palaniappan & Karthikeyan, 2009). Independently of the Cr source, after a long period being exposed to it, Cr may accumulate in the tissue of aquatic organisms and cause their suffering due to its toxic effects (Palaniappan & Karthikeyan, 2009)
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