Effect of reagents on cadmium and metallothionein concentrations in tissues of mice.

Abstract

Effects of various reagents on cadmium and metallothionein concentrations in the liver, kidney, small intestine and pancreas were examined by simultaneous injections of the reagent (i.p.) and cadmium (3 mg/kg, s.c.) to mice. Compared to the mice injected with cadmium alone, little effect on the cadmium and metallothionein concentrations was observed by the injection of o-iodosobenzoic acid, KBrO3, ascorbic acid or glutathion. The concentration of cadmium and metallothionein in the four tissues decreased significantly after the injection of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. By the injection of diethyldithiocarbamic acid, the concentration of cadmium decreased in the four tissues and the concentration of metallothionein decreased in the liver, kidney and small intestine. By the injection of phytine, the concentration of metallothionein in the liver increased significantly. A significant increase in metallothionein concentration in the liver was observed by the injection of olive oil (10 ml/kg) or phytine (500 mg/kg) alone. By the pre-injection of these reagents, mortality of mice injected with cadmium (10 mg/kg, s.c.) decresed significantly than that of mice injected cadmium alone.