It is known that cadmium, heavy metal, is very harmful and toxic to human bodies. There fore, the chronic effects of cadmium chloride on the ultrastructures of rat alveolar septum were studied in 40 adult male rats (Wistar strain) by electron
microscopy. Rats were intraperitoneally injected, once a week for 10 weeks, with cadmium chloride (3.75 mg/kg body weight) or saline as control. Animals were sacrificed 1 day. 1 week, and 2 weeks after the last injection.
1. In 1-day group, large expanded air sacs were developed between the basal lamina and endothelial cells of capillaries. In the cytoplasm of great alveolar cell, lamellation of lamellated bodies was reduced and the smooth surfaced endoplsmic
reticulum
was increased.
2. In 1-week group, alveolar wall capillaries were dilated and numerous areas of edema were seen in the albeolar septum Great alveolar cells and fibroblasts were increased in number.
3. In 2-week group, the fine structures of alveolar septum were intact such that they were similar to those of controls.
In conclusion, these findings suggest that cadmium chloride causes morphological changes of the lung alveolar septum in rats. Those changes, however, seem to normalized within 2 weeks following the last dose of cadmium chloride.
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