Effects of chronic exposure to mercury and cadmium alone and in combination on the coagulation system of Sprague-Dawley rats

ABSTRACT

Water contamination with heavy metals may adversely affect our health. High metal levels lead to changes in blood coagulation processes, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease. Exposure is not limited to a single metal but usually involves a mixture of metals. In this study 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), alone and in combination, for 28 days at dosages equivalent to 1000 times the World Health Organization water limits. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that both metals caused platelet activation. Cd significantly increased fibrin fibers thickness and caused aggregation and formation of dense matted deposits (DMDs). Hg reduced fibrin network formation. In the combination group, Hg appeared to augment the effect of Cd, and the presence of extensive DMDs or aggregates between the fibers, with no changes to the actual fibrin thickness, was observed.

KEYWORDS:

• Cadmium
• coagulation
• fibrin
• Mercury
• platelets

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

The authors would like to thank the National Research Foundation (Grant number 92768), South Africa, for funding this project.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the National Research Foundation (Grant number 92768), South Africa, for funding this project.