Histological changes of rat tongue papillae due to chromium toxicity and the protective role of vitamin E

ABSTRACT

Chromium is an essential trace element whose physiological role is related primarily to the maintenance of normal glucose tolerance, because it serves as a cofactor for the peripheral action of insulin. It is present in the environment in several different forms including chromium [0], chromium [III], and chromium [VI]. Hexavalent chromium [Cr VI] is thought to be the most toxic of the released metal ions. This study was done to evaluate such toxic effect on rat lingual papillae and the curative effect of vitamin E on the induced structural changes using light and electron microscopy. The results showed that chromium induced degenerative changes with the lingual papillae especially the filiform, which can be countered by vitamin E supplementation having an antitoxic effect which advocate re-epithelization and regeneration of the connective tissues