Histological Changes of Mesenteric Lymph Nodes Affected by Cadmium Chloride in Male Albino Rat: Experimental Study

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal can be found in many sources, including cigarette smoke, e-cigarettes, batteries, contaminated water, plant-based foods, air, fertilizers, plastic toys, ceramics, soil and paints. the exposure to environmental factors may affect different body systems including lymphatic system. Objectives: to investigate the effect of ingested cadmium chloride on mesenteric lymph nodes in rat. Materials and Methods: twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study, which divided equally into two groups, on group served as control group administrated of tap water while the second group used as experimental group exposed to daily dose of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at a dose 100 mg/kg/day for two weeks via gastric gavage. The weight measured before and after administration and also blood samples were collected for hematological examination by using blood film before and after administration in experimental and control group, then the animals were sacrificed for routine histological examination under light microscope using (H&E) stain. Results: there are significant differences showed decrease in the weight of experimental group (186.8750 ± 6.20034g) after administration in compares to control group (253.7500 ± 1.56696g). Histological examination of the mesenteric lymph nodes in the experimental group showed many defects were seen reactive lymphadenitis including paracortical and follicular hyperplasia (lymphoid hyperplasia), subcapsular sinus expansion, sinus histiocytosis and enlargement of mesenteric lymph node. While the hematological changes in blood smears showed that WBC differential count in the experimental group after two week was increase in the ratio of neutrophil count (29%) and monocyte (4%) while in control group (18%) and (2%). Conclusions: The present study appeared that exposure to oral Cadmium chloride after two weeks caused decrease in the weight with hematological changes that affect increase in neutrophil count mainly while histopathological changes include lymphadenitis that progressed to lymphoid hyperplasia, sinus histiocytosis and enlargement of mesenteric lymph node.