Protective effects of Zinc on the Cadmium induced behavioural and biochemical toxicity in male albino mice
Gasem M. Abu - Taweel
Department of Biology, College of Education, Dammam University, P.O. Box 2375, Dammam - 31451 (Saudi Arabia) Email : gasem_55@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to observe the protective effect of zinc (Zn) on the cadmium (Cd) induced toxicity in male Swiss- Webster strain adult mice. Cd and Zn were given orally at the doses of 100mg/kg body weight and 4% w/v in their drinking water respectively. These doses were administered independently as well as in combination together for four weeks with controls receiving plain tap water only. Thereafter, the animals were subjected to ‘Locomotor Activity Test’ that showed a significant inhibitory effect on most of the elements of this test due to Cd exposure. Zn alone had no effect on these behavioural elements, however, in combination with Cd, it showed an ameliorating effect by reverting a significant change to the normal activity resembling to the control animals. Similarly, a significant inhibition was noticed in the levels of acid and alkaline phosphatase (AcPase and AlPase respectively) activities in liver, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brain tissues of the Cd exposed animals. In this biochemical study also, Zn alone had no effect whereas in combination, Zn showed an ameliorating effect on the Cd induced biochemical toxicity. It is suggested from this study that further investigations on these lines may prove extremely beneficial to assess the protective role of Zn in Cd poisoning from human health point of view.