Effects of Food-Chain Mediated Metal Exposures on Lipid Profile in Rats

Aims: To evaluate the effect of Cd and As on lipid profile in rats by using an experimental food-chain to imitate the natural food-chain of fish to rat.

Study Design: Toxicity of Cd and As was first induced in fishes through an artificial habitat; the fishes after 1 month of exposure were killed and used as source of protein in formulating rat feed. In this way, the natural food-chain of fish to rat was mimicked as the rats get the toxic metals in their fish diets.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria, from June 2016 to September 2018.

Methodology: Adult male rats weighing between 100–150 g were fed with formulated rat feed that has Cd/As (at a dose of 0.4 mg/100 ml) contaminated fish as source of protein. Control group comprises of rats that were not given metal contaminated fish as food. The rats were fed for 3 months after which they were sacrificed and the plasma and vital organs obtained for investigation of lipid metabolism function.

Results: Biochemical analysis on lipid profile status was made after 90 days of inoculation. A significant increment (p≤0.05) in plasma and organ concentrations of Cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), lipoprotein of low density (LDL), and lipoprotein of very low density (VLDL) was seen in the rats given these metals in diet in comparison to control, while plasma and organ lipoprotein of high density (HDL) concentrations declined.

Conclusion: These results infer that cadmium and arsenic produces reactive oxygen compounds that are toxic to man, hence calls for caution and further studies.