Effect of Cadmium and Aluminum Intake on the Antioxidant Status and Lipid Peroxidation in Rat Tissues

Abstract

This work aimed to study the relationship between the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) or aluminum (Al) in certain tissues and the levels of lipid peroxides as well as tissue antioxidants. To carry out such investigations, CdCl2 was given to rats in two dose levels; 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg i.p for 1 day or daily repeated doses for 2 weeks. Al was given as AlCl3 either in a single dose of 100 mg/kg or daily repeated doses of 20 mg/kg for 2 and 4 weeks. The measured parameters were tissue malondialdehyde (MDA, index of lipid peroxidation) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels as well as the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) enzymes. Liver and kidney functions were assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as serum urea and creatinine concentrations. Cd and Al concentrations in the studied tissues were also measured. Results indicated that tissue Cd was significantly increased after administration of either Cd doses. After a single dose of 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg CdCl2, the increase in tissue Cd levels were accompanied by an increase in MDA and a decrease in GSH levels. On the other hand, after repeated administration of Cd, tissue Cd accumulation was accompanied by increased hepatic and renal GSH levels with decrease in MDA content and a decrease in GSH-PX activity in liver. Liver function was affected at all dose regimens, whereas kidney function was affected only after 2 weeks administration of the higher dose. In Al treated rats, Al concentration was shown to be increased in liver much more than in brain. This was accompanied by a slight decrease in hepatic GSH level after 2 weeks and a decrease in GSH-PX activity after 4 weeks. Liver function was affected only after repeated injection of Al for 2 or 4 weeks. In general, Al administration exhibited safer pattern than Cd.

Antioxidative Effects of N-acetylcysteine, Lipoic Acid, Taurine, and Curcumin in the Muscle of Cyprinus carpio L. Exposed to Cadmium

“…It is well-known that cellular GSH redox status is affected by Cd action (41,42). This, however, is questioned by the results of our and other studies in which Cd had no effect on cellular GSH redox status (43,44). Thijssen et al (44) reported that the treatment of mice with 100 mg L -1 Cd had no effect liver and kidney GSH and GSSG levels, and that cellular redox status was protected by elevated metallothionein levels, which are important in Cd detoxification.…”

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

“…The activities of ALT, AST and ALP in the serum of rats are tested as indicator for hepatic function [13,14]. In our study, the activities of ALT and AST in the serum of cadmium exposed rats were significantly elevated, and the activity of ALP was significantly decreased indicating Cd-related injury to the liver.…”

Melatonin is a potent modulator of antioxidative defense and cellular proliferation against aluminum toxicity in rats

“…Aluminum sulfate, which is the preferred form of aluminum salt in our study, was selected due to the fact that it is the most absorbed form of Al salt by the small intestine, as determined by Cunat et al (2000). El-Maraghy et al (2001) found that, after injecting aluminum salt into rats, there was a 35% increase in the Al level of hepatic tissue, whereas serum Al levels contained 209% more Al than the normal values. Khattab (2007) observed histological damage and loss of tissue in the testicles after injecting aluminum sulfate into rats.…”