Effects of cadmium chloride on the ultrastructure of animal somatic cells (gums, kidneys, and liver)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Head of the Department of Molecular Biology, Kazakh-Russian Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

2 Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan

3 Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

4 Department of Civil Defense and Military Training, Malik Gabdullin Academy of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kokshetau, Kazakhstan

5 Department of Toxicological Chemistry, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

6 Head of the Department of Anatomy with courses, Kazakh-Russian Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

10.22124/cjes.2026.9501

Abstract

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal with the ability to accumulate in various organs of the body that can cause severe cellular damage. This study was conducted to investigate and compare the microstructural changes caused by cadmium chloride in three important somatic tissues including gums, kidney and liver in an animal model. In this experimental study, 30 male rats were divided into three groups: control, low dose (2 mg kg-1) and high dose (5 mg kg-1) of cadmium chloride for 28 days. After the end of the period, tissue samples were collected and examined using transmission electron microscopy. Qualitative changes were recorded and quantitative parameters including the percentage of swollen mitochondria, nuclear chromatin condensation index and the number of cytoplasmic vacuoles were measured by ImageJ software and analyzed by appropriate statistical tests. The results of the study confirmed severe and dose-dependent damage in all tissues. The percentage of swollen mitochondria in hepatocytes increased from 2.4% in the control group to 3.72% in the high-dose group, a significant increase (p < 0.05). The liver showed the highest sensitivity, followed by the kidney and then the gingiva. The chromatin condensation index in gingival cells at the high dose reached 2.7, indicating significant nuclear changes in this tissue. A strong dose-response relationship was observed for all measured parameters (Pearson correlation r = 0.98 for liver mitochondrial damage, p < 0.001). The formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles was also significantly increased in the treatment groups. Consequently, cadmium chloride causes significant microstructural damage at the cellular level, the pattern of which varies in different tissues. Mitochondria were identified as the main target of toxicity in all tissues. These findings provide direct and exact evidence of the mechanisms of cadmium cytotoxicity and emphasize the need to manage exposure to this toxic metal.
 

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 99-106

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