Investigating the Hepatorenal Toxicity of Co-Exposure of Cadmium and Arsenic Via Food Chain in Wistar Rats: A Study on Oxidative Stress Markers and Kidney Function Parameters

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination through the food chain poses significant health risks; however, the combined effects of simultaneous cadmium and arsenic exposure on liver and kidney function remain poorly understood. This study investigated the hepatorenal toxicity of singular and combined exposure to cadmium and arsenic across the food chain in Wistar rats, emphasizing on oxidative stress markers and indications of kidney function. The Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, arsenic-treated, cadmium-treated, and combined treatment groups. Body weight increase, organ-to-body weight ratios, enzymatic activities (monoamine oxidase, sulfite oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and xanthine oxidase) and plasma biomarkers (creatinine and urea) were assessed. Exposure to individual metals markedly reduced body weight gain (arsenic: 39.27g; cadmium: 37.62g compared to control: 77.50g, p<0.05), although combined exposure showed no significant decrease (80.07g). The ratio of kidney weight to body weight significantly increased across all treatment groups. Cadmium treatment and combined exposure markedly elevated aldehyde oxidase activity in the liver while diminishing it in the kidneys. Cadmium alone markedly diminished liver xanthine oxidase activity, whereas combined exposure substantially increased it (0.83 vs. 0.41 min/g weight wet, p<0.05). Plasma creatinine levels significantly increased exclusively with cadmium therapy (2.57 mg/dl versus control: 2.20 mg/dl). Exposure to cadmium and arsenic exhibited intricate correlations. For instance, it produced contrasting effects on body weight while enhancing specific oxidative enzymes. The results demonstrate that co-exposure assessment is crucial for clarifying heavy metal toxicity mechanisms and developing appropriate risk assessment strategies for food chain contamination.