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Background and Objective: Nowadays the food contamination is increased and threating human health. This study was done to determine the concentration of cadmium, lead, zinc and copper in tomatoes and cucumber in Northern Iran. Methods: In this descriptive study, 48 cucumber and 48 tomatoes samples were collected randomly from the two sampling stations of Gorgan and Gonbad the two cities in Golestan province of northern Iran during spring and summer of 2012. Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations were determined by voltammetry method of 797 Polarography models. Results: Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of cucumber in Gonbad was 53.4±7.7, 0.09±0.013, 1.47±0.21 and 4.1±0.66 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of cucumber in Gorgan was 60.3±8.7, 0.12±0.017, 1.4±0.2 and 3.7±0.53 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of tomatoes in Gonbad was 17.9±2.6, 0.03±0.004, 0.5±0.07 and 0.85±0.12 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean±SE of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu concentration in samples of tomato in Gorgan was 23.8±3.4, 0.08±0.01, 0.66±0.09 and 1.7±0.24 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Mean concentrations of Cd and Pb in cucumber and tomatoes samples of Gonbad was up to 2, 14, 0.6 and 5 times and mean concentrations of that in cucumber and tomatoes of Gorgan was up to 2.4, 14.4, 1.6 and 7 times exceed the maximum allowable limits of WHO/FAO. Conclusion: Mean concentration of Cd and Pb in cucumber and tomato samples was exceeded the maximum allowable limits of WHO/FAO and mean concentration of heavy metals in cucumber was more than tomato samples.

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Background and Objective: The consequence of excessive usage of phosphate fertilizers, in addition to the accumulation of phosphorous in excess, is to create competition with the absorption of micronutrients, especially zinc and, most importantly, the accumulation of pollutants such as cadmium in agricultural products. This study was done to determine the effect of Hydro-alcoholic extract of Curcumin on the levels of liver enzymes in rats treated with cadmium chloride.
Methods: This experimental study was done on 56 adult male Wistar rats which allocated into 8 equal groups including control group: animals in this group were received normal saline, intraperitonally. Sham: animals in this group were received olive oil, intraperitonally. Cadmium group: animals in this group were received Cadmium with dosage 1.5 mg/kg/bw, intraperitonally. Curcumin group: animals in this group were received 120 mg/kg/bw of Curcumin, intraperitonally. The interventional group 1: animals in this group were received Cadmium with dosage 1.5 mg/kg/bw, and 30 mg/kg Curcumin, intraperitonally. The interventional group 2: animals in this group were received Cadmium with dosage 1.5 mg/kg/bw and 60 mg/kg/bw of Curcumin, intraperitonally. The interventional group 3: animals in this group were received Cadmium with dosage 1.5 mg/kg/bw and 120 mg/kg/bw of Curcumin, intraperitonally. After 21 days, the rats were sacrified and the liver enzymes including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured by spectrophotometer method.
Results: The concentration of AST, ALT and ALP in cadmium group were significantly increased in compare to controls (P<0.05). The concentration of liver enzymes in Curcumin group was reduced in compare to controls (P<0.05). The enzymes concentration in the interventional groups 1, 2 and 3 were significantly reduced in compare to the cadmium group (P<0.05). The enzymes concentration in the interventional groups 1, 2 and 3 were significantly increased in compare to controls (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic Curcumin extract can reduces the increasing of liver enzymes induced by cadmium in rats.