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Exposure to Nickel–Cadmium Contamination of Drinking Water Culminates in Liver Cirrhosis, Renal Azotemia, and Metabolic Stress in Rats

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Abstract

Drinking water polluted by heavy metals has the potential to expose delicate biological systems to a range of health issues. This study embraced the health risks that may arise from subchronic exposure of thirty-four male Wistar rats to nickel (Ni)-cadmium (Cd)-contaminated water. It was done by using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) with three treatment factors (Ni and Cd doses at 50–150 mg/L and exposure at 14–21-28 days) at a single alpha level, resulting in seventeen experimental combinations. Responses such as serum creatinine (CREA) level, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level, BUN/CREA ratio (BCR), aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT) activities, and the De Ritis ratio (DRR), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) level, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, were evaluated. The results revealed that these pollutants jointly caused hepatocellular damage by raising AST and ALT activities and renal dysfunction by increasing CREA and BUN levels in Wistar rats’ sera (p < 0.05). These outcomes were further supported by BCR and DRR values beyond 1. In rats’ hepatocytes and renal tissues, synergistic interactions of these metals resulted in higher MDA levels and significant impairments of CAT and SOD activities (p < 0.05). In order to accurately forecast the effects on the responses, the study generated seven acceptable regression models (p < 0.05) with r-squared values of > 80% at no discernible lack of fit (p > 0.05). The findings hereby demonstrated that Wistar rats exposed to these pollutants at varied doses had increased risks of developing liver cirrhosis and azotemia marked by metabolic stress.

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Acknowledgements

This collaborative investigation would not have been possible without the provision of research facilities and enabling environments. Therefore, we are deeply thankful to the departments of respective universities of authors, who contributed immensely to the success of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

    Augustine Apiamu, Helen E. Kadiri, Akpovwehwee A. Anigboro & Samuel O. Asagba

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

    Oghenetega J. Avwioroko

  3. Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, Nigeria

    Uduenevwo F. Evuen

  4. Department of Biochemistry, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

    Enyohwo D. Kpomah

  5. Department of Chemical Science, Faculty of Science, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria

    Gilbert Ugbebor

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  1. Augustine Apiamu
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Contributions

The successful completion of the manuscript was made possible through the notable inputs of the authors: AA, OJA, UFE, HEK, EDK, AAA, GU, and SOA participated in all sections of the study, starting from conceptualization, research design, drafting of proposal, provision of research materials and apparatuses, laboratory investigation, analyses of experimental data, presentation and interpretation of results, drafting and editing of manuscript. Absolute consent by all authors was acknowledged with respect to submission of the manuscript to this journal.

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Correspondence to Augustine Apiamu.

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Sequel to ethics of care and handling of experimental animals, the local research ethics committee gave her approval (REC/FOS/2023/02), in line with international protocols.

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Apiamu, A., Avwioroko, O.J., Evuen, U.F. et al. Exposure to Nickel–Cadmium Contamination of Drinking Water Culminates in Liver Cirrhosis, Renal Azotemia, and Metabolic Stress in Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 202, 1628–1643 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-023-03777-y

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