THE EFFECTS OF MAGNESIUM IN PREVENTING CADMIUM TOXICITY ON SERUM PARAMETERS RELATED TO RENAL FUNCTIONS IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that has widespread use in industries and is
entering the food chain in different ways, including soil and water. Magnesium (Mg) supplementation
could have a protective effect against cadmium toxicity because of their antagonistic properties. In this
work the influence of Mg on toxicity that is caused by Cd on serum parameters related to renal
function has been investigated.
Materials & Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of five and were
administered to Cd (1 mg/kg) and Mg (1.5 mg/kg) and 0.5cc normal saline for control group by ip
injection for 21 days. Then, the levels of serum parameters related to renal function (sodium,
potassium, urea, creatinine, protein) were measured.
Results: The results illustrated that levels of creatinine and protein decreased and levels of urea,
sodium and potassium increased as a result of Cd exposure in comparison to the control group. Coadministered Cd and Mg decreased serum urea, sodium and potassium. Treatment by Mg enhanced
serum creatinine and protein level.
Conclusion: The findings seem to suggest that magnesium compounds by its antagonistic activities
can have protective effects against Cd renal toxicity.