Toxicopathological effects of sodium dichromate (chromium CrVI) on small intestine of laboratory albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

In order to determine the toxicopathological effects of sodium dichromate in the small intestine of laboratory albino rats, the present study performed on 30 albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) divided into five equal groups; G1 was daily administered 3 mg / 100 g. B.W of sodium dichromate orally for 30 days. G2 was daily administered 9 mg /100 g. B.W of sodium dichromate orally for 30 days. G3 was daily administered 3 mg /100 g. B.W of sodium dichromate orally for 60 days. G4 was daily administered 9 mg /100 g. B.W of sodium dichromate orally for 60 days, and G5 was served as control. The results showed mild atrophy of the intestinal villi with marked hyperplasia of goblet cells in G1, while showed moderate atrophy of intestinal villi with some areas of necrosis of enterocytes with marked infiltration of inflammatory cells in G2. G3 showed severe atrophy in the intestinal villi with infiltration of some inflammatory cells. G4 showed severe atrophy of intestinal villi with area of metaplasia of columnar epithelium to squamous epithelium (squamous metaplasia). In conclusion; the sodium dichromate had major toxic effects to the epithelium of small intestine especially in highly repeated doses.