Effect of mercuric chloride on oxidative stress and target organ pathology in wistar rat.

ABSTRACT

Mercury is the highly toxic metal that exerts its adverse effect on health of human and animals through air, soil water and food. For the present study, the toxic effect was observed by oral administration of mercuric chloride daily for 4 weeks at doses ranging from of 0 to 8 mg/kg/day. Histopathology was also carried out of both for kidney and liver. Significantl increased in lipid peroxidation and decreased Superoxide dismutase enzymes were observed in treated groups as compared to control . The gross changes were characterized by swellingand paleness of kidney and liver. Microscopic examination has revealed liver revealed hemorrhage, leukocytic infiltration, hepatocyte hypertrophy, necrosis and increased vacuolization incidence and the severity increased with increase treatment dose. In addition kidney showed proteineous cast in the lumen of tubules, narrowing of lumen, infiltration and necrosis.