Histopathological Changes in the Liver of Rats Exposed to Cadmium
Keywords:
N\AAbstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal widely recognized for its detrimental effects on human and animal health. The liver, a primary organ for detoxification, is particularly susceptible to cadmium-induced damage. This study aimed to investigate the histopathological changes in the liver of rats exposed to cadmium. A total of 24 adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: a control group and three experimental groups exposed to 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) for 28 days. Histopathological analysis of liver tissues revealed dose-dependent alterations, including hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis. Biochemical markers of liver function, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were significantly elevated in cadmium-exposed groups. The findings underscore the hepatotoxic potential of cadmium and provide insights into the mechanisms of cadmium-induced liver injury. This study highlights the need for stringent regulations on cadmium exposure to mitigate its adverse health effects.
Downloads
References
Järup, L. (2003). Hazards of heavy metal contamination. British Medical Bulletin, 68(1), 167-182.
Satarug, S., Garrett, S. H., Sens, M. A., & Sens, D. A. (2010). Cadmium, environmental exposure, and health outcomes. Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(2), 182-190.
Godt, J., Scheidig, F., Grosse-Siestrup, C., Esche, V., Brandenburg, P., Reich, A., & Groneberg, D. A. (2006). The toxicity of cadmium and resulting hazards for human health. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, 1(1), 22.
Liu, J., Qu, W., & Kadiiska, M. B. (2009). Role of oxidative stress in cadmium toxicity and carcinogenesis. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 238(3), 209-214.
Matović, V., Buha, A., Bulat, Z., & Đukić-Ćosić, D. (2011). Cadmium toxicity revisited: Focus on oxidative stress induction and interactions with zinc and magnesium. Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju, 62(1), 65-76.
Wang, Y., & Shi, X. (2001). Molecular mechanisms of metal toxicity and carcinogenesis. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 222(1-2), 3-9.
Rikans, L. E., & Yamano, T. (2000). Mechanisms of cadmium-mediated acute hepatotoxicity. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 14(2), 110-117.
Bernard, A. (2008). Cadmium & its adverse effects on human health. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 128(4), 557-564.
Thevenod, F. (2009). Cadmium and cellular signaling cascades: To be or not to be? Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 238(3), 221-239.
Waalkes, M. P. (2003). Cadmium carcinogenesis. Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 533(1-2), 107-120.
Goering, P. L., & Klaassen, C. D. (1984). Tolerance to cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity following cadmium pretreatment. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 74(3), 308-313.
Habeebu, S. S., Liu, J., & Klaassen, C. D. (1998). Cadmium-induced apoptosis in mouse liver. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 149(2), 203-209.
Klaassen, C. D., Liu, J., & Diwan, B. A. (2009). Metallothionein protection of cadmium toxicity. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 238(3), 215-220.
Liu, J., & Klaassen, C. D. (1996). Absorption and distribution of cadmium in metallothionein-I transgenic mice. Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 29(2), 294-300.
Nordberg, G. F., Nogawa, K., Nordberg, M., & Friberg, L. (2007). Cadmium. In Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals (3rd ed., pp. 445-486). Academic Press.
Satarug, S., & Moore, M. R. (2004). Adverse health effects of chronic exposure to low-level cadmium in foodstuffs and cigarette smoke. Environmental Health Perspectives, 112(10), 1099-1103.
Jin, T., Nordberg, G., Ye, T., Bo, M., Wang, H., Zhu, G., ... & Wu, X. (2004). Osteoporosis and renal dysfunction in a general population exposed to cadmium in China. Environmental Research, 96(3), 353-359.
Nawrot, T., Plusquin, M., Hogervorst, J., Roels, H. A., Celis, H., Thijs, L., ... & Staessen, J. A. (2006). Environmental exposure to cadmium and risk of cancer: A prospective population-based study. The Lancet Oncology, 7(2), 119-126.
Rogalska, J., Pilat-Marcinkiewicz, B., & Brzóska, M. M. (2011). Protective effect of zinc against cadmium hepatotoxicity depends on this element intake and level of cadmium exposure: A study in a rat model. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 193(3), 191-203.
Ognjanović, B. I., Marković, S. D., Pavlović, S. Z., Žikić, R. V., Štajn, A. Š., & Saičić, Z. S. (2008). Effect of chronic cadmium exposure on antioxidant defense system in some tissues of rats: Protective effect of selenium. Physiological Research, 57(3), 403-411.
El-Sharaky, A. S., Newairy, A. A., Badreldeen, M. M., Eweda, S. M., & Sheweita, S. A. (2007). Protective role of selenium against renal toxicity induced by cadmium in rats. Toxicology, 235(3), 185-193.
Renugadevi, J., & Prabu, S. M. (2010). Cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and the protective effect of naringenin. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, 62(2), 171-181.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
