Biochemical Profile, Micro-mineral Status and Metallothionein Expression in Abattoir Buffaloes Environmentally Exposed to Heavy Metals

Abstract

Background: The present study was planned to assess the biochemical and micro-minerals profile in blood and other tissues of buffaloes environmentally exposed to heavy metals. Methods: Tissues (liver and kidney) and blood samples (n=50) were collected from local abattoir. Based on the level of heavy metals, animals were classified as exposed and control was found to have heavy metals in normal range. Blood and tissue sample from both groups were analyzed for micro-minerals, antioxidant status, metabolic profile and expression of metallothionein-2 (MT-2).Result: Exposed group was found to have significantly (p less than 0.05) higher level of arsenic and chromium as compared to the control group. Level of Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were observed to be significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in exposed animals as compared to control but their concentrations were below the permissible limit in both the groups. Cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe) level were normal in all tissues but Fe level was lower than permissible limit in blood. Malonldialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) was found to be significantly increased (p less than 0.05) in tissues and blood of exposed group. The exposed buffaloes were found to have significantly (p less than 0.05) increased glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine level as compared to control group. Fold change expression of metallothionein (MT-2), had maximum in liver, followed by kidney and blood as compared to control group. The study concluded that heavy metals exposure and low concentration of micro-minerals in buffaloes could result in oxidative damage and alterations in the expression of metallothionein.