Objectives: Exposure to chromium, the transition element found in many compounds of earth's crust, leads to various health hazards including cancer, dermatitis, damage of liver and kidneys, and reproductive toxicity in both male and female. Toxic effect of chronic exposure to chromium at low environmentally relevant dose is recently recognized and less studied. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of subchronic exposure to low doses of chromium VI (K 2 Cr 2 O 7 ) on various hematological and biochemical parameters in male albino rats. Methods:Male albino rats (160±10 g) received 1/25, 1/50, and 1/100 of reported oral LD 50 dose of chromium VI (K 2 Cr 2 O 7 ) for 90 consecutive days. After treatment, the blood was collected for analysis of various hematological and biochemical parameters.Results: Exposure to chromium VI at 1/25 LD 50 dose caused decrease in body weight gain and reduction in the weight of the reproductive organs along with increase in the weight of the liver and kidney. Numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin concentration reduced with increase in clotting time. The total sperm count and motility was also reduced in exposed rats. There was a decrease in plasma protein and albumin concentration, with increase in plasma glucose and cholesterol level. The activity of enzyme alanine aminotransferase and enzyme aspartate aminotransferase was stimulated in treated rats. Conclusion:The results of the present study revealed that chronic low-dose exposure to chromium VI resulted in a toxic effect in experimental male albino rats.

Objective: The present study assessed the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity associated with oxidative stress induced by chronic exposure to a very low environmentally relevant dose of hexavalent chromium along with the ameliorative potential of selenium and Vitamin E in male rats. Methods: Twenty-four male albino rats were divided into four groups. Animals of control group received only distilled water. The treated group received solution of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) at a dose of 1 mg/kg b.w./day. The third group received sodium selenate (0.25 mg/kg bw) plus Vitamin E (100 mg/kg bw). The supplemented group received sodium selenate plus Vitamin E along with K2Cr2O7 solution. The animals were treated for 90 consecutive days. Results: There was a significant decrease in body weight gain and an increase in liver and kidney weight along with an increase in serum glucose, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine; a decrease in protein and albumin levels in the rats treated with K2Cr2O7. The activities of serum enzymes, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase, were also increased in treated animals. The activities of enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, GPx and the levels of GSH reduced significantly and level of malondialdehyde increased in K2Cr2O7 treated rats. Liver and kidney tissues exhibited features of toxicity in chromium treated animals. All the effects were reversed in supplemented group. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to K2Cr2O7 at a very low environmentally relevant dose caused hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity induced by oxidative stress in male albino rats; the effects were ameliorated by supplementation with selenium and Vitamin E in combination.