Abstract
The effects of varying dietary zinc (Zn) and oral lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) exposure on tissue trace metal concentrations were investigated in weanling rats using a 4 X 3 factorial design. Male SD rats (72, 6/group) were fed diets containing either Zn deficient (<1 mg/kg; ZnD), Zn control (12 mg/kg; ZnC), 60 mg/kg high Zn (ZnH) or 12 mg/kg Zn PF (pairfed) and given 10 mg/L Na (control), 20 mg/L Pb or 5 mg/L Cd in drinking water for 4 weeks. Zn deficiency and oral Pb and Cd exposure reduced Zn and Cu concentrations in the kidney by 29% and 36% (P≤0.05), respectively. ZnH diet also decreased liver and plasma Cu and lowered kidney Cu in the Cd exposed group. The accretion of Pb was highest in kidney, while Cd levels were greater in the kidney than the liver (42% of control). The data indicate that low Zn status altered Zn and Cu concentrations in tissues and that there was significant interaction among the essential and toxic metals in the liver and kidney of weanling rats.
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