Effects of Two Cadmium Hyperaccumulating Plants (N. Caerulescens And A. Halleri) in Feed on Tissue Burden in Laboratory Rats

Abstract The aim of this work was to determine how two cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulating plants in feed affect a consumer organism (Rattus norvegicus var. alba). Using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), Cd concentrations were analyzed in Wistar rat (Rattus norvegicus var. alba) tissues. Rats were fed the Cd and Zn hyperaccumulating plants Noccaea caerulescens or Arabidopsis halleri. Rats given Arabidopsis halleri took in 4 times as much Cd as did rats fed Noccaea caerulescens. However, the muscle, intestinal, kidney, spleen, testicular, bone and liver tissues of rats fed A.halleri had 7.3, 5.6, 5.5, 3.5, 3.1, 2.5 and 2.3 times higher Cd concentrations, respectively, than did tissues of rats fed N. caerulescens. A. halleri burdened the muscle, small intestinal, and kidney tissues with Cd to a greater extent than did N. caerulescens. However, the spleen, testes, bone and liver were significantly more burdened with Cd by N. caerulescens. In both experimental groups (rats given N. caerulescens as well as those given A. halleri), the highest Cd concentrations were found (in descending order) in the kidneys > liver > small intestine > spleen > testes > bone > and muscle. This information is vital in situations where, for example, livestock can graze on these plants or when other animals and humans accidentally consume these plants.