Multiple studies have shown that exposure to hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) can lead to an imbalance of metal elements in the blood and urine of the body. However, little was known about the distribution of multiple elements in other target tissues after Cr(VI) exposure. We investigated the elemental homeostasis in the lung, thymus, kidney, liver and spleen tissues of rats after Cr(VI) exposure. Forty-eight specific male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received intratracheal instillation of Cr(VI) (0.25, 0.125, 0.05 mg/kg) or the same volume (3 ml/kg) of normal saline weekly for 28 days (total of 5 times). After 28 days of exposure, the rats were euthanised and their tissues and organs were collected for research. The contents of different metal elements were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The experimental findings demonstrate that following exposure to Cr(VI), chromium accumulates in diverse organs to disparate extents. Notably, the accumulation level of chromium is the highest in the lung tissue. Concurrently, the copper content in the lung tissue exhibits a moderate increase, whereas the zinc content displays a modest decline. In the thymus, the concentrations of elements including manganese, copper, and zinc register an increase. Similarly, the levels of manganese and zinc show an upward trend in the spleen. Furthermore, the homeostasis of various elements in the kidneys and liver is also perturbed, presenting divergent change tendencies. The complex interaction between Cr(VI) and these essential metals highlights the need for further in-depth research to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and develop effective strategies for preventing and treating Cr(VI)-induced toxicity.
Yang et al. (Sat,) studied this question.