Effects of simultaneous administration with cadmium and lead on the essential minerals and on the drug-metabolizing enzyme systems in rats (author's transl)

Abstract

Essential metal contents and the liver microsomal drug-metabolizing enzyme systems were investigated in rats treated simultaneously with cadmium chloride and lead acetate. 1) Calcium content in the liver increased markedly both by a single injection of lead acetate and by simultaneous administration of lead acetate and cadmium chloride, and this increase was observed even after 30 days. 2) Zinc content in the liver increased significantly 1 and 3 days for male rats and 3 days for female rats after a single administration of cadmium chloride. Copper content in the kidney also increased 15 days after the injection of cadmium chloride. 3) Content of δ-aminolevulinic acid in urine increased markedly by the injection of lead acetate and this increase was still noted after 30 days. 4) Of the fatty acid constituents in the liver phospholipids, stearic acid increased, and arachidonic acid decreased by the treatment with cadmium chloride and/or lead acetate. 5) Content of cytochrome P-450 and b5, as well as activities of aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine demethylase, decreased markedly by the administration of cadmium chloride and/or lead acetate.