Effect of Calcium Carbide on Rat Tissue

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of Calcium carbide (CaC2) in biological system, an in vivo study was carried
out on Long Evans rats. CaC2 was administered orally once daily for one month with specific concentrations. Group-
I was considered as the control group (without CaC2), Group - II, III, IV and V were the sample groups treated with
CaC2 having concentration of 1g/kg, 2g/kg, 5g/kg and 10g/kg body weight respectively. The experiment was
conducted to detect any cellular and molecular level changes caused by CaC2. The histopathology and isozyme assay
were performed to analyze the changes in the activities of the genes affected by the free radicals released from CaC2.
The molecular analysis included different isozymes namely esterase and acid phosphatase. Polyacrylamide
electrophoresis of whole cell extract of control subjects and CaC2 administered rats were performed; subsequently the
gels were treated with the substrates for acid phosphatase and esterase respectively. No difference was observed in
the whole cell extract band pattern between the control subject and the CaC2 administered rats, which grossly
indicates that the CaC2 has no effect on the expression pattern of isozymes (acid phosphatase and esterase).
Histopathological analysis of liver, heart, spleen, kidney and lungs were performed to observe any change due to the
administration of CaC2. Remarkable changes were observed during the histopathological study of lungs and kidney
only. The histopathological analysis of kidney showed the thickening of the lining of collecting tubules with changes
in cell structure while lungs were found to be increased moderately in weight, with focal areas of consolidation that
was found red-brown to red.