Cadmium exposure linked to mineral imbalance in rats fed chitosan.
The study looked at how chitosan affects mineral levels in rats exposed to cadmium. Rats were given different diets and cadmium doses for four weeks. Cadmium lowered calcium and iron levels in the body but increased zinc in the kidneys. Chitosan did not affect bone strength but increased calcium excretion in feces. Calcium absorption decreased with cadmium, and chitosan further decreased it by increasing fecal excretion.