title: Subacute toxic effects of zinc on various tissues and organs of rats.
abstract: In order to expand our knowledge of zinc toxicity and to assess further the toxicities of zinc systematically, we observed the toxic effects of zinc on the functions of various tissues and organs in rats. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (14 in each group), viz. one normal control group (received saline), two zinc groups (Znlow: 4 mg/kg of zinc acetate; Znhigh: 8 mg/kg of zinc acetate), and one cyclophosphamide group (50 mg/kg, as positive control of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCEs)). Saline and zinc acetate were administered intraperitoneally to the rats once every 2 days, seven times in total. Cyclophosphamide was given intraperitoneally to the rats once. The concentration of blood zinc was determined and accumulation of zinc was not observed in the experimental groups. The frequencies of basophilic stippled erythrocyte (BSE) and MPCEs in the Znhigh group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) and serum triiodothyronine (T3) in the Znhigh groups decreased significantly, compared with the control group (P<0.01 or 0.05). Moreover, we also observed that the level of serum cortisol, another adrenal corticoid hormone in rats, was increased by zinc acetate in a dose-dependent manner. According to the literature and our findings, exposure to zinc, especially at higher doses, may produce toxic effects on various tissues and organs including the hematopoietic system, cytogenetics, biochemistry and endocrine system function. Therefore, it is suggested that zinc should be used carefully, especially by high risk groups such as children and pregnant women despite its use as a food additive or in self-medication. At the same time, it is necessary to investigate and research further these toxicities of zinc with long-term administration of low dosage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Mie University, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie-Pref. 514-8507, Japan. paio-mie@medic.mie-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Fengyuan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piao
authors.forename: Kazuhito
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003582:Cytogenetics; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects; D006413:Hematopoietic System / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases; D015032:Zinc