Detrimental effects of chronic arsenic exposure through daily diet on hepatic and renal health: An animal model study.

BACKGROUND

Bangladesh is heavily impacted by arsenic contamination; however, in-depth research regarding the consequences of arsenic exposure through contaminated food remains in its nascent stage.

OBJECTIVES

Our study aimed to examine the effects of consuming arsenic-contaminated rice and vegetables on Wistar albino rats.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 30 Wistar albino rats were divided into control and experimental groups, receiving diets containing arsenic-contaminated rice and vegetable for 120 days. Arsenic levels in food samples were quantified using FI-HG-AAS. Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses were conducted to assess hepatic and renal toxicity. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, ANOVA, DMART with significance set at  < 0.05.

FINDINGS

In hematological studies, hemoglobin was found to be significantly reduced in exposed rats (P < 0.05) to 13.67 ± 0.54 gm/dl for rice diet and 13.77 ± 0.28 gm/dl for edible fern diet compared to control (14.17 ± 0.43 gm/dl for rice diet and 15.27 ± 0.13 gm/dl for edible fern diet), and similar results were also observed for RBC and WBC. Elevated levels of serum ALT, AST, urea and creatinine reflected hepatic and renal dysfunction. In renal and hepatic tissue histopathology, inflammation, degeneration, and fatty changes were observed. This study provides the first direct evidence of systemic toxicity from chronic dietary arsenic exposure in Bangladesh, identifying rice and vegetables as significant, underrecognized sources of arsenic-related health risks.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that eating rice and vegetables that have been exposed to arsenic over an extended period of time might be harmful to the body.