A 9-YEAR CHRONIC TOXICITY STUDY OF CADMIUM IN MONKEYS .2. EFFECTS OF DIETARY-CADMIUM ON CIRCULATORY FUNCTION, PLASMA-CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDE

The effects of long-term (9 y) po administration of daily low doses of cadmium on blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram and plasma c holesterol and triglyceride concentrations were examined in rhesus mon keys. Thirty-five male rhesus monkeys were divided into 5 groups and f ed pelleted food containing cadmium chloride at dosages of 0, 3, 10, 3 0 or 100 mug cadmium/g food (= ppm). The 100 ppm group had increased b lood pressure during the initial 1 1/2 y. Thereafter, the expected inc rease in blood pressure that occurred due to aging in the control and 3 ppm groups was not evident in the 100 ppm group. No changes attribut able to cadmium were detected in pulse rates or in electrocardiograms. Plasma cholesterol in the 2 highest dosage groups and triglyceride in the 100 ppm group were slightly lower than in controls after 2 1/2 y. Long-term exposure to cadmium contributed to the development of eleva ted blood pressure during the first and second years and then inhibite d the hypertension expected due to aging.