Study on the toxicity of zinc and its effect on liver glycogen in albino rats

Abstract

This research examined the effect of zinc toxicity on liver glycogen levels in albino rats since glycogen is an important energy reservoir and plays a central role in glucose homeostasis. Rats were treated with low (50 mg/kg) and high (100 mg/kg) concentrations of zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) to evaluate the dose-related effects on liver glycogen, oxidative stress indicators, and liver function. The findings revealed a significant reduction of liver glycogen in low-dose (27.9% reduction) and high-dose (59.3% reduction) groups compared to the control. Zinc toxicity also caused oxidative stress, as indicated by elevated malondialdehyde levels and reduced superoxide dismutase activity. Serum indicators of liver injury, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, were significantly increased in treated groups, reflecting dose-dependent hepatocellular damage. In addition, the liver-to-body weight ratio was increased in zinc-exposed rats, indicating inflammation, edema, or tissue hyperplasia. These observations confirm that zinc toxicity disrupts liver glycogen metabolism, aggravates oxidative stress, and impairs hepatic function in a dose-dependent manner. The research points to monitoring the levels of zinc exposure to avoid metabolic and oxidative liver damage and illustrates potential mechanisms of zinc-induced liver toxicity