A Sub-Chronic Toxicity Study of Mercuric Chloride in the Rat

Heavy metal accumulates mostly in mammalian liver and kidney as these organs involved in the detoxification and excretion of foreign materials. Chronic exposure of heavy metals leads to intoxication of these organs. In the present study sub-chronic effect of mercury (as mercuric chloride at a dose of 3.75 mg / kg body weight) on biochemical parameter was studied on the experimental animals. Results revealed that mercury increased the aspartate transpeptidase (AST), alanine transpeptidase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities significantly than control group. This study also indicates that mercury increases the level of urea and creatinine ; and decreases the iron level. Bioaccumulation of mercury was higher in kidney as compared to other organs.