Abstract
The systemic toxicity of different combinations of heavy metal mixtures (HMMs) was studied according to equivalent proportions of the eight most common detectable heavy metals found in fish consumption in the Ningbo area of China. The ion mass proportions of Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb, and Hg were 1070.0, 312.6, 173.1, 82.6, 30.0, 13.3, 6.6, and 1.0, respectively. In this study, 10 experimental groups were set as follows: M8 (Pb + Cd + Hg + Ni + Cu + Zn + Mn + Cr); M5 (Pb + Cd + Hg + Ni + Cr); M4A (Pb + Cd + Hg + Ni); M4B (Cu + Zn + Mn + Cr); M3 (Cu + Zn + Mn); Cr; Cu; Zn; Mn; and control. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were orally treated with a single dose of each group every three days (10 times in total) for 34 days. After Morris water maze test, blood and tissue samples were collected to obtain biochemical, histopathological and western blot analysis. Results show abnormalities could be observed in different treatment groups, the M4B combination had the most significant change compared to all other groups. In conclusion, combination HMMs may have adverse effects on the hematologic, hepatic, renal and neurobehavioral function, and may also disturb electrolyte and lipid balance. Why M4B combination generated much higher toxic effects than any other combination mixtures or individual heavy metal needs to be further evaluated.
Highlights
According to the priority chemicals list [1], lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and nickel are all toxic metals and have a high frequency of occurrence in the environment
Different heavy metals may simultaneously enter the human body through air, drinking water, or Industrialization and anthropogenic activities bring more and more heavy metal pollution [25]
Recent studies indicate that fish can be used as a bio-indicator for heavy metal pollution [26]
Summary
According to the priority chemicals list [1], lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and nickel are all toxic metals and have a high frequency of occurrence in the environment. Chromium, lead, and mercury have high toxicities and rank among the priority metals that are of great public health significance [2]. Lead is toxic even at very low levels. Exposure to low levels of lead has been associated with behavioral abnormalities, learning impairment, decreased hearing, and impaired cognitive functions in humans and in experimental animals [3]. Cadmium and its compounds can induce disturbances in calcium metabolism, renal tubular dysfunction, or osteoporosis [4]. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 1164; doi:10.3390/ijerph14101164 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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