ABSTRACT

Chromium is a widespread industrial compound. The soluble hexavalent chromium Cr (VI) is an environmental contaminant widely recognized as carcinogen, mutagen, and teratogen toward humans and animals. The fate of chromium in the environment is dependent on its oxidation state. The reduction of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) results in the formation of reactive jnteiniediates leading to oxidative tissue damage and cellular injury. In the present study, Potassium dichromate was given orally to three groups (group 2, 3 and 4) of wistar albino rats for 21 days with the doses of 0.26, 0.1 and 0.5m1 body weight per day to the respective groups, Doxorubicin was administered as well to other groups (group 5 and 6) with the doses of 30 and 20mg/kg. Oxidative stress and Cardiotoxicity were estimated using their individual markers as well as carrying out the Histopathological examination of the heart. The results indicated that administration of Cr (VI) had caused a significant increase of ROS level in the heart tissue after the 2ldays of administration which led to the rise in some of the oxidative stress markers (i.e. MDA, Catalase, and GSH). The malondialdehycle content in the heart was elevated in potassium dichromate groups (group 2 (0.4900 ±0•03342b), group 3 (4.3900 ±0.12734c) and group 4 (0.5850 ±O•16983b)) as compared with the control (group 1 (0.1475 +O.01702a)). The GSH of potassium dichromate increased in group 3 (2.63 10±0.13511c) and group 4 (2.5550+0.08326c) animals. The results obtained from the present study showed that there was significant increase in the concentration of Cardiac Troponin and Creative kinase (Ck) in the potassium dichromate administered groups (group 2 (3.4738±0.06977c), group 3 (3.3195±0.08467c) and group 4 (2.2850±O.08169b)) when compared to the control (2.1571±0.17813 ) which is an indication that Cr (VI) may be toxic to the heart.