Effect of Cadmium on Lipid Peroxidation and on Some Antioxidants in the Liver, Kidneys and Testes of Rats Given Diet Containing Cadmium-polluted Radish Bulbs.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cadmium (Cd), incorporated in radish bulbs, on malondialdehyde and glutathione levels and on superoxide dismutase activity in the liver, kidneys and testes of male rats. The control animals were given diet containing ordinary radish bulbs for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, while contaminated animals were given diet containing Cd-polluted radish bulbs (1.1 mg Cd/g of diet) for the same periods as in the controls. At each time point, rats were euthanized and the liver, kidneys and testes were removed. The results indicated that the body weight gain of contaminated rats was identical to that of the control rats. Cd concentrations in the liver, kidneys and testes increased significantly and gradually from the 4th to 12th week of treatment. Malondialdehyde concentrations decreased significantly in the liver and increased significantly in the kidneys and testes after 12 weeks of treatment, while glutathione levels increased significantly in the liver, and decreased significantly in the kidneys and testes at the same time. No changes were observed in SOD activity in the liver, while in the kidneys and testes, this activity was increased after 12 weeks of treatment as compared with the control rats.

Effect of vitamin A supplemented diet on calcium oxalate renal stone formation in rats.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of a vitamin A supplemented diet on calcium-oxalate stone formation in rats and to test its expected action in the dissolution of renal calculi. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight rats each. The first group (group A) received a normal diet for six weeks. The second group (group B) was fed a lithogenic diet by the addition of ethylene glycol 0.5% to drinking water for three weeks then a normal diet for three weeks. The third group (group C) received the same lithogenic diet for three weeks then a vitamin A supplemented diet 20 times the normal amount (5.1mg/100g of diet) at the three last weeks. One day before the end of treatment, each animal was placed for 24h in metabolic cage in order to collect urine samples and determine the urinary parameters. RESULTS: The glomerular filtration rate and the urinary excretion of citric acid which fell in group B have been restored in group C. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a vitamin A supplemented diet at the rate of 20 times standard ration could improve the renal function by restoring the glomerular filtration rate and by increasing the urinary pH and excretion of citric acid.

Accumulation of cadmium and its effects on testis function in rats given diet containing cadmium-polluted radish bulb.

The aim of this study was to examine the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) incorporated in radish bulb and its effects on testes function in male rats. Control animals were given diet containing ordinary radish bulb for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, while contaminated animals were given diet containing Cd-polluted radish bulb (1.1 microg Cd/g of diet) for the same periods as in controls. At each time point, rats were killed and plasma was collected, and the testes and epididymides were removed. The findings indicated that the ratio of testes weight to body weight of contaminated rats was identical to that of control rats. Cd concentration in the testes significantly and gradually increased from the 4th to the 12th week of treatment. After 12 weeks of treatment, plasma testosterone levels significantly increased, while epididymal sperm concentration significantly decreased in contaminated rats as compared to correspondent controls.

Accumulation of cadmium and its effects on liver and kidney functions in rats given diet containing cadmium-polluted radish bulb.

The aim of this study was to examine the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) incorporated in radish bulb and its effects on liver and kidney functions in male rats. Control animals were given diet containing ordinary radish bulb for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, while contaminated animals were given diet containing Cd-polluted radish bulb (1.1 microg Cd/g of diet) for the same periods as in controls. At each time point, rats were killed and plasma was collected, and the liver and the kidneys were removed. Results indicated that body weight gain of contaminated rats was identical to that of control rats. Cd concentration in the liver and the kidney increased significantly and gradually from the 4th to the 12th week of treatment. Plasma alanine aminotrasfase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities increased significantly after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, while plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was increased significantly only after 12 weeks. Plasma urea concentration was comparable in the two groups during the experimental period, while plasma creatinine concentration increased significantly after 12 weeks of treatment.