Effects of Cadmium and Mercury Induced Toxicity on the Olfactory Lobe of Male Wistar Rat

The presence of cadmium and mercury in the environment and industry poses a significant risk. Cadmium and Mercury toxicity has been reported to produce biochemical and behavioral dysfunction that may cause adverse effects on several organs including the central nervous system. The present study was aimed at investigating the impact of cadmium and mercury exposure when administered orally on the olfactory lobe of rats through behavioral and biochemical assessments. The investigation was carried out using a total of 28 male rat that were divided into four groups of 7 rats each. Group 1 was treated with deionized water and served as a control group. Group 2 received CdCl2, 1.61 mg/kg. Group 3 received HgCl2, 0.40 mg/kg daily. Group 4 received CdCl2, 1.61 mg/kg + HgCl2, 0.40 mg/kg orally for 4 weeks. Afterward, behavioral assessments using the olfactory habituation test were conducted to assess sense of smell and sniffing behaviors. The animals were sacrificed using ether at the end of the 5th week. Biochemical assessment of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, nitric oxide, and catalase (CAT) levels were done using appropriate ELISA KIT. Our results showed increase in Lipid peroxidation in malondialdehyde(MDA) and Nitric oxide(NO), the decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase and reductase ,superoxide dismutase (SOD), and also rat exposed to heavy metal exhibited increased repetitive behaviors by continuous sniffing of the odors (vanilla and water) exposed to the rats.