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ABSTRACT
The immediate environment of man is known to contain heavy metallic elements that have a relatively high density compared to water. Using the knowledge that heaviness and toxicity are inter-related, heavy metals also include metalloids, some of which are Lead and cadmium that can induce toxicity at a low level of exposure. A few decades ago, there has been an increasingly ecological and global public health concern associated with environmental contamination by these metals. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of co-exposure of lead acetate and cadmium chloride on the body, organ weight andtissue bioaccumulation on male Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) Male Wistar rats with body weight range of 100g -130g were used for this study. The Wistar rats were selected randomly, and divided into three (3) groups of (n=5) in each group. Group 1 (Control Group) were given distilled water throughout the 28 days and pellet feed. Group 2 (14 days’ exposure) were administered Pb and Cd 100p/pm for 14 days of the experiment. Group 3 (28 days’ exposure) were administered Pb and Cd 100p/pm for the entire 28 days. The data were presented as mean, standard error of mean (SEM) and analyzed for statistical importance by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results actualized from this study shows a significant decrease in body weight, significant increase in organ weight, and also increase in lead and cadmium concentration in the treatment groups. The results further showed that co-exposure to lead and cadmium will cause weight reduction, decreased liver function, functional changes in glucose, amino acid, and phosphate reabsorption in the proximal tubule which cause disruption in physiological function of these organs. To this effect it is recommended that, further studies be conducted on the toxicity of chronic co-exposure of lead and cadmium on the various body soft tissues which is to ascertain previous literature on lead and cadmium which states induced diseases in the body due to exposure and to come up with safe dosage and preventive measures to safeguard individual from constant exposure to these harm.
