Effects of hexavalent chromium on bone growth in juveniles Wistar rats

Abstract

Workers at industrial settings, as well as the population in general is at risk of health problems caused by contaminating wastes, inadequate treated for their safe disposal. As result, certain toxic substances, such as hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] compounds, contaminate tap water and have reached the general population including children. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of Cr(VI), in the form of potassium dichromate, on body and bone development in suckling Wistar rats. Male and female Wistar rats were exposed to 20 ppm Cr(VI) contaminated drinking water during mating, pregnancy till birth and lactation of the juveniles that were sacrificed at the age of 21 days. One couple of the F0 generation received the same treatment that their progenitors received during mate, pregnancy and lactation till day 21 being then sacrificed. Control Wistar rats were given a similar treatment but in the absence of Cr(VI) contaminated water. There were no histological alterations observed in the animals of control group. Conversely, Wistar rats treated with Cr(VI) contaminated drinking water showed a marked reduction of the plate growth, where sometimes the zones were not well defined, absence of a regular columnar disposal of the chondrocytes, extracellular matrix accumulation and the presence of groups of chodrocytes that are projected to the metaphysis. Changes in the formation and density of the bone trabeculs in metaphysis were also observed, as well as delay in the formation of the secondary centers of ossification that were, particularly, evident by the presence of cells of the cartilage that were not reabsorbed. In the test group in the first and at the second centers of ossification was also possible to observe the presence of bone not laminar boné. We can conclude from this study that presence of Cr(VI) in the drinking water can have sever effects in health and in development of the juveniles.