Genotoxic and Biochemica Effects of Consumption of Heavy Metal Contaminated Fish and Its Reversal Using Zinc Supplements in Rats

Introduction: Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium etc are environmental contaminants. They are also known today as human and animal carcinogens. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the genotoxic and biochemical effect of feeding rat with fish obtained from heavy metal contaminated water bodies in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: DNA damage was investigated using DNA lading assay, while heavy metals and antioxidants were analyzed from fishes obtained from contaminated water bodies. Results: There was fragmentation of blood chromosomal DNA in rats fed with heavy metal contaminated fish, while in the control and zinc supplemented group, there was no fragmentation. Heavy metals were detected in the tissues and serum of exposed rat, while the activity of the serum catalase and reduced glutathione significantly decreased. Conclusion: The consumption of heavy metal contaminated fish resulted in DNA fragmentation and its deposition in the rat tissue. Zinc supplementation prevented the degradation of DNA and potentiated antioxidant activities.