Biochemical, haematological and histopathological study in relation to time-related cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

In the present investigation sub-chronic hepatic necrosis was induced by cadmium chloride and was examined biochemically, haematologically and histopathologically in order to study the time-dependent effect and correlation among the parameters. Male Balb/c mice were injected with cadmium chloride (2.5 mg/kg bw s.c.) for each other day and, sacrificed on the 7th day, 14th day and 21th day post exposure. Body weight and relative liver weight did not show alteration at any of the time point following the treatment but the tissue cadmium level showed progressive significant increment values with the advancement of time exposure. Most of the biochemical parameters (total protein, DNA, RNA, cytochrome P450 cotents, alkaline phosphatase and UDP glucuronyl transferase activities), haematological parameters (total red blood cells, total white blood cell, differential white blood cell counts, haemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, plasma protein) indicated either no or less on the alterations/7th day following cadmium exposure. Both the light and transmission electron microscopy, on the other hand, indicated the fact that a minimum of 21 day-exposure was needed to alter the cellular architecture. So, a certain amount of cadmium load might be required to adversely affect the cellular architecture preceeded by biochemical and haematological alterations. In this connection, in the present study a possible mechanism of cadmium-induced hepatoxicity was discussed.