Interaction between tapeworm infection and heavy metals accumulation in the host

Heavy metals in living organisms occur in trace amounts. While zinc is an essential element wich is indispensable for many physiological processes, cadmium in body acts as atissue toxin, that can cause oxidative stress and contribute to cancer development. Recent studies suggest that some species of tapeworms (Cestoda) and Acantocephala are able to absorb in their tissue higher quantity of heavy metals in comparsion with their hosts. Moreover it was observed that In connection with the increased accumulation of heavy metals in the tissue of tapeworm was decreased amounts of these metals in the organs of the host. The aim of this thesis was to investigate whether the rat tapevorm (Hymenolepis diminuta) causes a decrease in the concentration of Cd and Zn in the organs of rats. A total of 24 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into 4 groups (n=6). Groups PT and 0P take increased doses of kadmium (3,0 mg/week) and zinc (235,7 mg/week) for six weeks. This increased intake was achieved by adding Arabidopis halleri to feed. After six weeks rats were killed and concentrations in their tissues (bone, muscle, testes, spleen, intestine, liver kidney) were analyzed. Subsequent statistical tests confirmed lower levels of Cd and Zn in some organs of rats infected with tapeworm compared to rats without infection. For example in kidney, liver ant intestine of infected rats was detected 2,9; 2,5 and 1,8 times lower concentrations of cadmium and zinc in comparsion with uninfected rats. Tapeworm absorbed 1695 time higher amount of kadmium compared to the host muscle. The zinc content was lower in all organs (except spleen and testes) of infected rats in comparsion to uninfected. In kidney, liver and intestine of infected rats was 1,2; 1,25 and 1,4 times lower average concentration of zinc in comparsion with uninfected rats. The tape worm absorb higher concentration of zinc compared to all organs of the host