Effects of interaction Cd-Zn on serum-PSA level and prostate histology in rats

Objective: To assess cadmium sulfate (CdSO4) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) antagonist effects on the prostate specific antigen and prostatic cell organization in rats. Methods: The study included 40 adult male rats, divided into four groups: Group 1 (CdSO4), Group 2 (ZnCl2), Group 3 (CdSO4-ZnCl2) and Group 4 (control). Animals were treated with CdSO4 and ZnCl2 at the same dose (15 mg/L) during 30 days. Results: It was showed a higher body weight and a lowering serum-prostate specific antigen concentration [(1.8 +/- 0.6) ng/mL] in animals treated with CdSO4. CdSO4 induced a cyto-nuclear atypia, proliferative lesions, hyperplasia and precancerous foci in prostate tissue. Toxic effects of ZnCl2 were not recorded in this study. Conclusions: Protective role of zinc was exhibited against toxic effects of cadmium in prostate gland.