Manganese pre-treatment attenuates cadmium induced hepatotoxicity in Swiss albino mice

Cadmium (Cd) is a soft, malleable bluish-white metal with low melting point, a ubiquitous heavy metal and an environmental pollutant, found in soil, water and air. The presence of Cd in the components of the environment such as air, soil and groundwater is to a large part due to human activity, and the general population is exposed mainly by contaminated drinking water or food. Manganese (Mn) is a component in many enzymes, which play an important role in counteracting oxidative stress. In vitro experiments have revealed the ability of Mn to scavenge oxygen free radicals generated in differently mediated lipid peroxidation (LPO) conditions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vivo preventive effect of Mn(2+) pre-treatment on acute Cd-intoxication with regard to oxidative stress biomarker and antioxidant defense system in liver of Swiss albino mice. On exposure to Cd a significant increase in LPO levels, decrease in thiol content and induction in glutathione metabolizing enzyme were observed. Mn pre-treatment attenuated the modulation caused in the above-mentioned parameters due to acute Cd exposure in mice. In conclusion, the results from this study demonstrate that the protective effect of Mn in Cd-induced systemic toxicity in mice. Further investigations are required on the relation between Mn accumulation and resistance to oxidative stress and on the factors influencing Mn/Cd transport in rodents are needed to elucidate the molecular basis of this protective effect.