Cadmium Induced Nephrotoxicity in Adult Male Albino Mice

Abstract

Cadmium is a modern toxic metal and is a by-product of zinc and lead mining and processing, which releases large amount of Cd into the atmosphere, hydrosphere and soil resulting in environmental pollution. In humans, the kidney is recognized as the most critical organ affected by chronic exposure to cadmium. The present study was designed to explore the toxic effects of intraperitoneal acute administration of CdCl₂ (0.32 mg/kg b.w.) in kidney of albino mice. Adult male albino mice were divided into 2 groups: Control and toxic group. The blood of mice from each group was used to determine some biochemical parameters. Cd administration resulted in significant (p<0.001) reduction of body weight and kidney weight. Cadmium treatment decreased total glycogen, cholesterol content and total proteins when compared with the control group. In addition, it also elevated serum urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen but reduced alkaline phosphate in toxic group.