Heavy Metal Interactions on Cadmium-induced Renal Osteodystrophy and Anaemia in Rats

Abstract

The toxicity of cadmium is influenced by several factors among which is the interaction with other metals. The other metals in question co-exist with cadmium as particulate matters in air, water and soil. Exposure of man to cadmium via any of the sources just mentioned means exposure to the co-pollutants as well. Hence this study investigated the effects of iron, lead, zinc, copper, manganese, nickel and chromium which have been reported as co-pollutants of river waters with cadmium, on cadmium-induced chronic kidney disease, osteomalacia and anaemia. Male Wistar albino rats were co-treated with cadmium and the above heavy metals individually and combined at doses found in Warri river, as drinking water daily for 90 days. The control group received heavy metal-free water as drinking water. Zinc reduced the extent of kidney damage and associated anaemia and osteodystrophy caused by cadmium. Iron and nickel reduced the ability of cadmium to cause anaemia in rats besides reduction in kidney cadmium burden. Lead exacerbated hemotoxic effects of cadmium. The findings from this study suggest that nephro- and haemotoxicity of cadmium can be enhanced or impaired depending on which of these metals it co-exists with as pollutants.
Keywords: Osteomalacia, Kidney failure, Haemoglobin, Cadmium