pH Dependence of Cadmium-Contaminated Drinking Water on the Development of Cardiovascular Injury in Wistar Rats

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of water pH in the genesis of cardiovascular injury caused by cadmium poisoning. For this study, 90 male Wistar rats were used, divided into six groups: A, 15 rats that received 400 mg/l cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in drinking water at a neutral pH of 7.0; B, 15 rats that received CdCl2 (400 mg/l) in drinking water at an acidic pH of 5.0; C, 15 rats that received CdCl2 (400 mg/l) in drinking water at a basic pH of 8.0; D, 15 rats that received water at an acidic pH of 5.0; E, 15 rats that received water at a basic pH of 8.0; and F, 15 rats that received water at a neutral pH of 7.0. All animals were euthanized after 6 months. We collected the heart and aorta from each rat for microscopic analysis. No microscopic changes were observed in the hearts. In the aorta, fatty streaks appeared in a large proportion of animals in groups A (50 %) and B (46 %), but fatty streaks appeared in a smaller minority of animals in groups C (15.3 %), D (0 %), E (7 %), and F (13.3 %) (p < 0.05). Cadmium exposure caused the development of fatty streaks in the aorta of animals and the exposure to this metal in basic pH decreased the formation of these lesions.

Protective Effects of Selenium on Hepatotoxicity Caused by Subacute Experimental Combined Exposure to Cadmium and Lead in Rats

“…The lowest water consumption was observed in the case of the Cd+Pb+Se group. Some studies have also reported decreased fluid intake in case of cadmium or lead exposure [8,39], while other studies did not [41,59]. One cause for the decrease in fluid intake, when the drinking water contains cadmium and/or lead can be the alteration of taste.…”

Cardiovascular damage associated with subchronic exposure to the glyphosate herbicide in Wistar rats

“…Atherogenesis begins with endothelial injury due to oxidative stress associated with risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, obesity, and metabolic syndrome (Husain et al, 2015). In addition, some other risk factors have been related to atherogenesis, such as exposure to cadmium (Nai et al, 2015). Atherogenesis begins in childhood with the accumulation of lipids in the subendothelial region, and over the years, the lesion evolves, developing into the atheromatous plaque (Nai et al, 2015).…”

“…In addition, some other risk factors have been related to atherogenesis, such as exposure to cadmium (Nai et al, 2015). Atherogenesis begins in childhood with the accumulation of lipids in the subendothelial region, and over the years, the lesion evolves, developing into the atheromatous plaque (Nai et al, 2015). The well-formed atheromatous plaque is composed of foamy cells (macrophages that phagocytose lipids), proteins, smooth muscle, and progressive calcium accumulation (Husain et al, 2015).…”

“…Histopathological analysis was performed by a single, blinded, experienced observer using a standard optical microscope (Nikon Labophot, Japan). The parameter evaluated in the aorta was the presence of atherosclerosis, graded as absent, fatty streaks, mild, moderate, and severe (Nai et al, 2015). In the heart, the following parameters were evaluated: presence and degree of interstitial inflammatory infiltrate and type of inflammatory cells present; presence and degree of tissue congestion; changes in muscle fibers (apoptosis, necrosis, sclerosis); vascular changes (arteriolosclerosis and atherosclerosis); and benign and malignant neoplastic lesions (Nai et al, 2015).…”

“…The parameter evaluated in the aorta was the presence of atherosclerosis, graded as absent, fatty streaks, mild, moderate, and severe (Nai et al, 2015). In the heart, the following parameters were evaluated: presence and degree of interstitial inflammatory infiltrate and type of inflammatory cells present; presence and degree of tissue congestion; changes in muscle fibers (apoptosis, necrosis, sclerosis); vascular changes (arteriolosclerosis and atherosclerosis); and benign and malignant neoplastic lesions (Nai et al, 2015). In addition, the thickness of the free wall of the right ventricle and the free wall of the left ventricle were measured in two areas of each wall using ImageJ® software from the National Institutes of Health of the United States, which is available for free on the Internet (http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/) (Gay-Jordi et al, 2013).…”