To elucidate the protective effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus-fermented milk against cadmium toxicity, the effects of administration of L acidophilus-fermented milk on hematological values and histopathological changes in cadmium-treated rats were investigated.
The experimental rats were divided into 2 groups that were consisted of the one group administered with cadmium alone, and the other group administered with cadmium mixed with the fermented milk. Each group was orally administered with different doses of cadmium such as 1.7㎍/g bw/day, 3.4㎍/g bw/day, 6.8㎍/g bw/day, and 13.6㎍/g bw/day, respectively, for 1 to 8 weeks. Hematological values and enzyme activities, histopathological changes of kidney tissues were examined for the experimental groups.
The values of KBC, WBC, and Hb in the groups administered with cadmium mixed with the fermented milk showed no significant differences to those of the groups administered with cadmium alone, but Hct showed significant reducing values. The activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in serum were significantly reduced than those of the groups administered with cadmium alone, at the low dose of cadmium treated groups. But alkaline phophatase(ALP) and lactate dehydorgenase(LDH) were significantly reduced at the high dose of cadmium treated groups. In histopathological study, a severe acute tubular necrosis of the convoluted tubules and distalation of tubules were showed in the grcnrps administered with cadmium alone, but the kidney tissues of the groups administered with cadmium mixed with the fermented milk were similar to those of the normal group.
In conclusion, the above results would suggest that L acidophilus-fermented milk has reducing effects on cadmium toxicity, at the low dose of cadmium administration.
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