Oral cadmium exposure alters haematological and liver function parameters of rats fed a Nigerian-like diet

Purpose. The effect of oral cadmium toxicity on aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities and some haematological parameters was studied in Wistar albino rats fed a Nigerian-like diet (NLD) for 16 weeks. Design. Two groups of rats were fed with either a normal diet or a NLD. Half of the animals in each group received deionized water and the other half received 100 mg cadmium kg 21 in drinking water. The plasma and liver activities of AST and ALT were assayed. Methods. ALT, AST and haematological parameters were determined by standard procedures. Results. There was a significant (p,0.05) increase in plasma AST and ALT and a corresponding decrease in the same enzymes in the liver of rats fed with a NLD and those exposed to cadmium. The NLD significantly reduced haemoglobin, haematocrit and red blood cell counts compared with the control diet and cadmium elaborated these effects. Conclusion. This study shows that the NLD may predispose rats to liver and haematological dysfunction in cadmium toxicity.