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Effect of zinc ion on cadmium-induced auditory changes
Bülent V Agirdir1, Ibrahim Bilgen, Oktay Dinc
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Biological Trace Element Research
|September 26, 2002
Summary
This study reveals that a zinc-enriched diet can partially prevent cadmium-induced hearing loss in rats by reducing cadmium accumulation and preventing kidney damage. Zinc supplementation offers a potential dietary strategy against environmental pollutant toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Auditory Science
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic environmental pollutant with known adverse effects on multiple physiological systems.
- Previous research demonstrated a dose-dependent detrimental impact of cadmium on the auditory system in rats.
- Zinc (Zn) is known to counteract cadmium cytotoxicity in various biological systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential preventive effects of a zinc-enriched diet against cadmium-induced hearing loss in a rat model.
- To assess the impact of dietary zinc on cadmium accumulation and toxicity in the auditory system and kidneys.
- To explore the role of zinc in mitigating cadmium-induced ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-four male rats were divided into three groups: control, cadmium exposure (15 ppm CdCl2 in water), and cadmium exposure with a zinc-enriched diet (200 ppm ZnSO4).
- Animals were treated for 30 days, followed by assessments of kidney function (glomerular filtration rate) and auditory function (auditory brainstem response, distortion product otoacoustic emission).
- Cadmium levels were measured in blood, kidney cortex, and ear ossicles.
Main Results:
- Cadmium exposure significantly increased blood cadmium levels and accumulation in kidney cortex and ear ossicles, correlating with decreased glomerular filtration rate.
- A zinc-enriched diet significantly reduced cadmium accumulation in the kidneys and prevented cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity.
- While zinc reduced overall cadmium toxicity, cadmium content in ear ossicles was not significantly altered, suggesting partial prevention of ototoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Cadmium exposure causes hearing loss and kidney damage in rats.
- Dietary zinc supplementation can partially prevent cadmium-induced hearing loss and effectively prevent cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity.
- Zinc enrichment of the diet presents a potential strategy to mitigate the ototoxic and nephrotoxic effects of environmental cadmium exposure.