Evaluation of Toxicological Effects of Oral Administration of Cadmium Nitrate on Liver of Adult Wistar Rats

Available evidence suggest that adverse effect of health are caused by heavy metal and cadmium nitrate(CdN) has been shown to cause adverse health effect worldwide and liver is one of the organs mostly affected. The present study evaluates toxic effects of cadmium nitrate on liver of adult wistar rats.

Twenty (n=20) adult wistar rats of both sexes randomly divided into four groups (A-D) of five (n=5) rats each; Rats in group A served as control and were given 10 ml/kg/day of distilled water for 21 days. Rats in group B, C, and D (cadmium nitrate CdN group) were given 150 mg/kg/bw of CdN, 225 mg/kg/bw of CdN and 300 mg/kg/bw of CdN administered orally through an orogastric cannula into the stomach via the esophagus, once a day respectively, for twenty one (21) consecutive days. The gross anatomical parameters of the liver and liver histology were assessed. An assessment of the histological profiles of the liver showed distortions of the liver cytoarchitecture following consumption of CdN. Body weights of experimental rats decreased as compared to the control group. The mean liver weight also decreased as compared to the control. The serum levels of AST and ALT were significantly increased in CdN group compared to the control group. It was conclude that cadmium nitrate induced liver toxicity in adult wistar rats.