Total metabolism and oxidative stress parameters in rats at long-term exposure to low concentrations of Cd2+

Abstract

The effect of long-term action of cadmium doses in concentrations close to MRL (minimum risk level) on total metabolism and oxidative stress parameters in laboratory rats was studied. The content of total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, Ca²⁺, thyrotropic hormone and free thyroxine, 8-isoprostane, carbonyl proteins, and the activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were determined in the blood serum. The introduction of cadmium in doses of 0.1 and 1 μg/kg of weight to 3-month rats per os during 36 days leads initially to a decrease in body weight, and after reaching a minimum – to its growth. At the 36th day, the final body weight of experimental animals is lower than in the control animals. The blood serum analysis of experimental animals showed the decrease of protein and lipid metabolism parameters, increase of TSH level, decrease of free T₄ content and inducing of oxidative stress under the influence of both doses of Сd²⁺. The degree of these effects’ expression is higher at a dose 1, than 0.1 μg/kg body weight of animals.