ZINC AND IRON SUPPLEMENTATION: A POSSIBLE DEFENSE AGAINST CADMIUM INDUCED BIOACCUMULATION IN LIVER AND KIDNEY OF MALE ALBINO RAT

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic, non-essential heavy metal with many industrial uses that can contribute to a well – defined spectrum of diseases in animals as well as in humans. The present study is carried out to know the possible role of trace elements like zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) supplementation to combat cadmium induced bioaccumulation in liver and kidney of Cd treated rats. Wistar strain male albino rats were treated with cadmium chloride at a dose of 1/10th LD50 / 48h i.e. 22.5 mg/Kg body weight for 7, 15 and 30 days (d) time intervals. Then 15d Cd treated rats were divided into three groups. The first group received Zn (12 mg/Kg), second group Fe (40 mg/Kg) alone and third group supplemented with both Zn and Fe and observed for again 7, 15 and 30d long sojurn. After the specific time intervals, rats were decapitated and tested for bioaccumulation levels of Cd by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS – Schimadzu AA6300). There was a significant elevation in Cd concentrations in both the test tissues with increased period of Cd treatment. Maximum Cd accumulation was found in 30d Cd treated rat kidney (31.5782 ± 0.499?g / gm wet wt. of the tissue). However there was significant reduction in Cd bioaccumulation with Zn and Fe supplements both individually and in combination suggesting their vital role in heavy metal detoxification. Maximum decrease in Cd accumulation was found in 30d rat kidney (8.327±0.450?g / gm wet wt. of the tissue) supplemented with the combination of Zn and Fe. Our findings clearly envisages that combined supplementation of Zn and Fe is more effective in reducing the Cd body burden when compared to the other modes of supplementation i.e. Zn and Fe alone in the male albino rat.