Distribution of Nickel in Rat Organs after an Administration of Nickel (II) Chloride

The aim of this study was to find the distribution of nickel chloride (II) in selected rat organs after an experimental administration. Forty Wistar male rats were divided into three experimental and one control groups (10 rats each). Animals in group A were intraperitoneally dosed with NiCl2 at a single dose of 25 mg/kg b.w., in group B with 35 mg/kg b.w., and killed 48 hours after nickel (Ni) administration. Rats in group P were dosed orally with Ni (100 mg/l) in drinking water for 90 days. Ten males served as the control group (C) without Ni administration. Distribution of Ni was evaluated in kidneys, muscle (m. quadriceps femoris), liver and testis by electro thermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The significant increase in Ni concentration was found in the kidney in group A (p<0.05) and group B (p<0.001) when compared with control. Significantly lower level of nickel was found in muscle in group B (p<0.05) and group P (p<0.01) in comparison with the control one. The testis level of nickel significantly increased in group B (p<0.05) in comparison with controls. The nickel levels in liver were not significantly changed. The results indicate that kidney is the organ with the highest level of nickel. However, elevated nickel levels in testis may suggest the relation between the metal and reproductive functions in males.