title: Cobalt chloride induces hepatotoxicity in adult rats and their suckling pups.
abstract: To assess liver damages in pregnant and lactating rats and in their suckling pups, wistar female rats were given through drinking water 350 ppm of CoCl(2) (157 ppm Co(2+)) from the 14th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. The effects of cobalt chloride on lipid peroxidation levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid profile and histopathology aspects of liver were evaluated. Biochemical results showed that lipid peroxidation increased significantly in Co-treated rats, as evidenced by high liver thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels. Alteration of the antioxidant system in treated group was confirmed by the significant decline of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in liver of suckling pups and their mothers. Moreover, CoCl(2) exposure induced an increase in the activities of the aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate deshydrogenase (LDH) and bilirubin levels in pups and their mothers while liver LDH activity and plasma albumin level were significantly decreased. On the other hand, cobalt chloride induced a marked hypoglycemia, a significant decline in triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. Histological studies showed an infiltration of mononuclear cells and vascular congestion in liver of pups and their mothers. Based on the present findings, exposure of rats to CoCl(2) during late pregnancy and early postnatal period affects antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation indicating liver damage in mothers and their offspring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Animal Physiology Laboratory, UR 08-73, Sciences Faculty of Sfax, BP 1171, 3000 Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: El Mouldi
authors.initials: el M
authors.lastname: Garoui
authors.forename: Hamadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fetoui
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ayadi Makni
authors.forename: Tahia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boudawara
authors.forename: Najiba
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zeghal
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology*; D003035:Cobalt / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D004326:Drinking; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D003035:Cobalt; C018021:cobaltous chloride