Assessment of Sub-acute Toxicity of Mercury on Wistar Rats

Abstract

Mercury is a metallic

element, used in dental amalgams, cosmetic products and some

industrial manufacturing.

Study aim

ed

to investigate the effects of various oral doses of

mercuric chloride

, on the growth,

biochemical, hematological

and pathological

characteristics of treated Wistar rats.

The rats were allotted to 4 groups,

each of six rats.

Group one res

e

r

ved

as control. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were given

mercuric chloride

in daily

oral doses of 1

, 3

, and 9mg/kg/day for 3 weeks. The weight gain,

hematological and

serobiochemical

parameters were recorded in addition to pathological changes and

certain behavioral changes were observed in rats during the experiment period

at

3weeks

. The doses (1,3 and 9 mg/kg/day selected were somewhat toxic and leth

al to

Wistar rats and caused gradual reduction of reflexes, inability to move and huddling

together, significant

de

crease in weight, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity

and alteration in

AST, ALT,

ALP,

Total protin ,Globulin,Creatinine,

urea co

ncentration

and granulocytosis

inaddition to alteration in blood concentration of

RBC, PCV,MCHC,

MCH , MCV and Lymphocytes.

The damage to vital organs of rats given daily oral doses of 1 mg/kg

mercuric chloride

was less marked.

We concluded that 3 weeks administration of the various oral doses of

mercuric chloride

3 and 9mg/kg/dayis toxic to Wistar rats.