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Background and Objective: Lead is one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, which is very dangerous for living creatures, including humans. Therefore, the use of various compounds such as nanochitin to remove lead from aquatic environments has been considered in recent years. This study was performed to determine the effect of nanochitin on the Tissue absorption rate of lead acetate in the liver of rats.
Methods: This experimental study was performed on 15 Wistar rats with a weight of 150-180 grams and an age of 8-10 weeks. The animals were allocated into three groups including control group, the lead group, and the nanochitin and lead simultaneously group. Animals were received lead and nanochitin by gavage for six weeks. Then liver tissue was removed and lead concentration was measured with an atomic absorption device. Liver tissue was prepared for hematoxylin-eosin staining and then examined under an optical microscope.
Results: The mean lead concentration in the liver tissue of the control, lead and the nanochitin and lead simultaneously groups were 8.1±0.45, 45.41±4.73, and 17.06±0.83 mic/g, respectively. The concentration of lead in the lead group increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, the hepatic concentration of lead in the nanochitin and lead simultaneously group significantly reduced in compared to lead group (P<0.05). Histopathological studies showed a reduction in tissue lesions including degeneration and necrosis of liver hepatocytes, hypertension, and severe congestion in liver tissue in the nanochitin and lead simultaneously group in compared to lead group.
Conclusion: Nanochitin without adverse effects on liver tissue can increase the removal and inhibit the absorption of lead in rats liver tissue.