Influence of water pH in oral changes caused by cadmium poisoning: an experimental study in rats

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of the pH of drinking water in the oral changes caused by cadmium poisoning.Material and method: Ninety male Wister rats were divided into the following six groups: A - 15 rats were given cadmium chloride solution (400 mg/L) in drinking water with a neutral pH (pH 7.0); B - 15 rats received cadmium chloride solution (400 mg/L) in drinking water with an acidic pH (pH 5.0); C - 15 rats were treated with a cadmium chloride solution (400 mg/L) in drinking water with a basic pH (pH 8.0); D - 15 rats received drinking water with an acidic pH (pH 5.0); E - 15 rats were given drinking water with a basic pH (pH 8.0); F - 15 rats received water with a neutral pH (pH 7.0). All animals were sacrificed six months after the beginning of the experiment. A biopsy of the buccal mucosa, tongue and salivary gland of each animal was taken for microscopic analysis.Result: No changes were observed in the buccal mucosa, tongue mucosa or salivary glands in any of the groups.Conclusion:Drinking water that contains a high concentration of cadmium with differing pH levels demonstrated no damage to the oral mucosa and salivary glands of male Wistar rats.