Hepatoprotective effect of Zinc and Magnesium against subchronic Cadmium toxicity on biochemical, histopathological and neurobehavioral parameters in Wistar rats

The aim of this study was carried out to investigate the possible hepato protective effect of Zinc and Magnesium against subchronic cadmium toxicity on biochemical, histopathological and neurobehavioral parameters in Wistar rats during 90 days. Fourty Wistar rats, were randomly divided in four experimental group: 1, control only water; 2, water and oral administration (Cd); 3, (Cd+Mg) in water oral administration; 4, (Cd+Zn) in water oral administration. Zinc and Magnesium was used to reduce hepatoxicity and neurobehavioral disorders induced by Cadmium in Wistar rats. The Cd-Zn and Cd-Mg groups received 10 mg/kg of ZnCl2, 10 mg/kg of MgCl2 added to drinking water. The Cd group received 15mg / kg of CdCl2. Blood glucose level and body weight were measured every day. According to the results, which have been obtained. There was a reduction in body weight gain due to Cd group and an increase liver weight. The results indicated also changes in biochemical parameters, which are characterized by an increase in serum glucose, serum urea, serum creatinine, of animals contaminated with cadmium compared to the control animals. However, the supplementation of (Zn) and Mg combination improved some but not all the previous parameters. Moreover, the findings showed variation in hematological parameters of Cd treated animals. In other word, there was a rise in number of white cells, and reduction of red cells counts, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit percentage, but all these parameters returned approximately to their normal values after combined Zn and Mg addition. The neurobehavioral test shows an increase in the number of cells crossed, the number of straightening in the test. Open field in the group exposed to Cd resulting in locomotors hyperactivity compared to the control and it is minimal in other groups treated with Zn and Mg. On the other hand, the elevated plus maze (EPM) revealed an increase of the time spent in the closed arms of the cadmium group compared to the control. The results clearly showed also deteriorations of liver structure tissue in comparison with the controls, including extensive degeneration of hepatocytes with necrosis, inflammation, the presence of cellular debris within a central vein and cytological vacuolization. The present investigation indicated that Cd had toxicity effects on the previous mentioned parameters. However, the supplementation of combined Zn and Mg was ameliorated some of these parameters and reduced liver histological alterations caused by Cd toxicity.