Protective effects of sodium dodecyl sulfate-modified chitosan against subchronic mercury-induced hepatorenal toxicity in male swiss albino mice.

Mercury (Hg) is a persistent environmental trace element that accumulates in biological tissues and induces severe hepatorenal toxicity primarily through oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms. The present study investigated the protective efficacy of a sodium dodecyl sulfate-modified chitosan derivative (SDSCS) against subchronic Hg-induced toxicity in male Swiss albino mice. Animals were orally exposed to mercuric chloride (HgCl₂, 0.5 mg/kg/day), SDSCS (20 mg/kg/day), or their combination for eight weeks. Mercury accumulation in liver and kidney was quantified using hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Biochemical indices of liver and kidney function, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant capacity, hematological parameters, relative organ weights, and histopathological injury scores were evaluated. Hg exposure resulted in marked accumulation of mercury in the kidney and liver, accompanied by significant increases in lipid peroxidation, liver enzymes (ALT, AST), renal dysfunction markers (BUN, creatinine), relative organ weights, and histopathological damage, alongside depletion of total antioxidant capacity (FRAP). SDSCS co-administration significantly reduced tissue mercury burden, attenuated oxidative stress, partially restored biochemical and hematological alterations, and improved histological architecture. Multivariate Z-score and Pearson correlation analyses revealed strong positive associations between mercury accumulation, oxidative stress, organ hypertrophy, functional impairment, and tissue injury, while antioxidant capacity exhibited inverse relationships with toxicity indices. Collectively, these findings indicate that SDSCS mitigates Hg-induced hepatorenal toxicity by limiting tissue mercury accumulation and supporting redox balance, consistent with its potential as a biopolymer-based intervention against mercury toxicity.