ABSTRACT
Occupational exposure to toxic and essential metals above recommended levels have been implicated for several morbidities and mortalities globally. The bronze foundry workers are not exempted from this menace as they are daily exposed to these metals. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of these bronze borne toxicants on iron homeostasis in wistar rats. In this study, 30 male wistar rats consisting of ten (10) wistar rats which were exposed to the bronze foundry environment in Igun community Benin City, Edo State for 55days, Eleven (11) wistar rats which were exposed to the environment for 88days and nine (9) wister rats which were unexposed (control). Blood (10ml)was obtained from each of the wistar rats using cardiac puncture. Levels of toxic metals (Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Aluminium, Silicon, Boron, Molybdenum, Barium, Gold, Silver and Tin) in whole blood and essential metals (Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Selenium, manganese and Zinc) in serum were evaluated using inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry. Iron panel (Serum Iron, TIBC, UIBC, transferring, % transferring saturation and Ferritin) were determined in serum using ELISA and Spetophotometry. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and spearman’s correlation coefficient at 0.01 and 0.05. Increased levels of toxic metals (Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Aluminium, Silicon, Boron, Molybdenum, Barium, Gold, Silver and Tin) and decreased levels of Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Selenium, and manganese were observed in 55 days and 88 days exposure when compared with the controls.
