HEPATIC MONOOXYGENASES AND CONJUGATING ENZYMES IN CADMIUM-INTOXICATEDHAMSTERS - EFFECT OF VITAMIN-C SUPPLEMENTATION

The effects of cadmium and simultaneous administration of cadmium and vitamin C on hepatic microsomal monooxygenase activities, conjugation enzyme activities and enzyme activities in the serum were investigated in hamsters. Cadmium, as cadmium chloride, was administered to hamste rs in a subtoxic dose in drinking water (10 mg Cd per liter) for 10 we eks. The majority of hepatic microsomal monooxygenases and enzyme acti vities in the serum reflecting liver damage were not significantly aff ected by subchronic cadmium treatment. On the other hand, cytosolic gl utathione S-transferase and serum alanine aminotransferase were signif icantly changed by cadmium and these changes were effectively eliminat ed by the simultaneous administration of vitamin C (1 g per liter of d rinking water). The results indicate that long-term supplementation wi th vitamin C may be effective in the protection of hepatic enzymes aga inst cadmium toxicity.