Liver Function and Structure in Rats Treated Simultaneously with Cadmium and Mercury

Abstract

The effect of cadmium chloride (150 mg/l) and mercury (II) chloride (80 mg/l) either alone or in combination in drinking water for 4 weeks on function and structure of the liver of male rats was studied. Results indicated that the ratio of liver weight to body weight and the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase noted in rats co-exposed to cadmium and mercury were intermediate between those noted in the individually metal treated rats. The histopathological study showed that the individual metal and the combined metal treatments caused severe liver damage. The degree of these changes noted in rats co-exposed to cadmium and mercury was not higher than those signalized in individual treatment. The biochemical and the histological changes observed in rats co-exposed to cadmium and mercury show that there is not an additive effect between these two metals.

<i>Gingko biloba</i> Extract Ameliorates Cadmium-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Experimental Animals

“…This is in accordance with the findings of Alhazza [19] who reported observable increase in ALP activities following the administration of cadmium in rats. This is in contrast with the study of Samir [20] who reported significant decrease in ALP activities and Kobayashi [21] who reported no observable changes in Liver ALP activity in the Cd-exposed rats. Many studies have established various adverse effects of cadmium, such as its influence on mitochondrial function, enhancement of lipid peroxidation, and breakage of DNA chain [19,[22][23][24].…”

Heavy metal concentrations in female wild mink (Neovison vison) in Sweden: Sources of variation and associations with internal organ weights

“…Interestingly, the same results were found in wood mice in a study with an exemplary large sample size [58]. These associations may be considered plausible as relative liver weight was reported to be reduced after Cd or Pb exposure in rats [48,[59][60][61]. Considering the high doses in the latter studies, the concentrations in rats were presumably higher than those found in mink in the present study.…”

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Effects of Azolla pinnata Ethanolic Extract against Lead-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

“…This decrement in the lead acetate-intoxicated rats’ final body weights was caused by the metal toxicity, which induced nausea, vomiting, and anorexia [ 46 ] as well as the oxidative stress [ 47 , 48 , 49 ] that leads dramatically to catabolic states where wasted muscles and cachexia are seen, followed by low body weight [ 50 ]. Moreover, lead toxicity has been shown to disrupt hepatic tissue architecture and function [ 51 , 52 , 53 ]. The results of the current study showed that the intoxication of rats with lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity, as represented by the elevated activities of serum ALT and AST ( Table 3 ).…”