The effects of a controlled Food Borne mediated exposure to Cyanide and Cadmium on antioxidant enzymes and some renal indices in Rats

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of a controlled Food Borne mediated exposure to Cyanide and Cadmium on renal indices in Rats. Twenty healthy Wistar strain male albino rats were divided into four groups with five rats in each group. Group 1 (control) – Rats were given control compounded diet. Group 2 (cyanide) – Rats were given cyanide-contaminated compounded diet. Group 3 (cadmium) – Rats were given cadmium- contaminated compounded diet. Group 4 (cyanide + cadmium) – Rats were given cyanide + cadmium-contaminated compounded diet. The experiment was carried for 28 days and water was given ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. After the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples taken for analysis for creatinine, lipid peroxidation (LPO) GPx, GSH, GR, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity. The result obtained showed an antagonistic increase in creatinine, lipid peroxidation (LPO) GPx, GSH and GR levels in the kidney of rats exposed to both toxicants. A significant decrease was also observed in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity in Groups D rats however this decrease was antagonistic when compared to Groups B and C given Cyanide and cadmium only respectively. Thus, the findings of the study indicate that exposure of a mixture of cadmium and cyanide via the food chain causes damage to the kidney of the rats. However, their combined effect was antagonistic.