Hypocholesterolemic and hypertriglycerolemic effects of chronic cyanide intoxication in rabbits

Abstract

The effect of chronic cyanide toxicity on liver and serum lipoprotein profiles was investigated in New Zealand White rabbits using a combination of gravimetric and colorimetric procedures. Two groups of three-month-old rabbits (6 per group) were fed either pure growers mash or growers mash containing 400ppm inorganic cyanide for 42 days. Initial and weekly estimation of serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triacylglycerols were carried out on both groups. Same parameters were estimated in liver on termination of feeding.
Results showed that the cyanide treatment led to significant decreases in serum total cholesterol and serum HDL cholesterol while serum triacylglycerols were significantly increased (p<0.05). However, while the cyanide group had significantly raised liver triacylglycerols (p<0.05), liver total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were significantly decreased relative to controls (p<0.05). These results suggest that chronic cyanide exposure exerts hypocholesterolemic and hypertriacylglycerolemic influences in rabbits probably due to impairment of hepatic lipoprotein metabolism.

KeyWords: Cyanide toxicity;hypocholesterolemia, hypertriacylglycerolemia, rabbits.


(Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences: 2002 8(4): 491-496)