Histopathological Study of Liver and Kidney Tissues in C57 Mice via Chronic Exposure to Cadmium and Zinc

Heavy metals have a wide application in the industrial world, affecting the health and longevity of living organisms. The current study assessed the possible effects of Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) on the liver and kidney. Therefore, 150 male and female white mice C57BL were treated in three different groups with 0.685 mg/L CdCl₂. 2.5H₂O (group 1), and 0.567 mg/L ZnSO₄.7H₂O (group 2) in drinking water, while the control group only received water for 90 days to investigate how these elements accumulated in the liver/kidney and evaluate the possible histological changes in the liver and kidney. During 90 days, the histopathological consequences of Cd and Zn on the liver and kidneys were recorded. The results pointed out that exposure to heavy metals, such as Cd and Zn, led to organ accumulation of these elements. The histological evaluations demonstrated significant detrimental effects on the liver and kidney. Under the influence of Cd, light microscopic examination revealed significant histological alterations in both organs. In the animals exposed to Cd and Zn, histopathological alterations were observed in the liver, including extensive degeneration, necrosis, depletion, and necrosis of hepatocytes with significant nuclear hypertrophy. When animals are exposed to Cd and Zn, histological alterations in the kidneys include severe vascular degeneration and renal tubule necrosis. In conclusion, heavy metal intoxication has been shown to cause histopathological changes in the liver and kidneys of experimental animal models.