[Protective effect of zinc in chromium poisoning in rats]

The effect of a toxic trivalent chromium dose on histopathological changes in rat organs was investigated. To evaluate a protective effect of zinc, rats were treated with ZnCl2 two hours before chromium administration. The protective zinc action was best observed in respect to morphological changes in the organs of chromium poisoned rats, particularly in the liver. The lack of areas of focal necrosis on the liver capsule in the protected group of rats was the most evident macroscopic findings. The histopathological changes observed were in accordance with the results of own previous investigation of the changes in lactate dehydrogenase activity in rat organs induced by chromium and zinc. The mechanisms of the zinc protective effect against chromium poisoning are discussed.