Ew. Pleasants et al., DIETARY MODULATION OF THE SYMPTOMS OF CADMIUM TOXICITY IN RATS - EFFECTS OF VITAMIN-A, VITAMIN-C, VITAMIN-D, VITAMIN-D HORMONE, AND FLUORIDE, Nutrition research, 13(7), 1993, pp. 839-850
The effects of vitamins A, C, D, and D hormone (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin
D3), and fluoride and combinations of these micronutrients on the toxi
c symptoms of young rats exposed to 80 ppm cadmium (Cd2+) in the drink
ing water and fed a modified AIN-76 diet were studied for 14 weeks. Cd
2+ treated rats displayed smaller body weight gains and larger relativ
e kidney and testis weights than controls. Treatment of Cd2+ exposed r
ats with vitamins A or D ameliorated these symptoms. When combined, th
ese two vitamins were synergistic in this protection as was the combin
ation of vitamin A and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Animals exposed to Cd
2+ and treated with vitamin A or a combination of A and D had lower fe
mur dry weights than rats exposed to Cd2+ alone but this effect was no
t seen with the combination of vitamin A and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.
Vitamin C had no protective action on the kidneys or testes but caused
an increase in the dry weight of the femurs of the exposed rats. Fluo
ride partially reduced the weight depression of the Cd2+ exposed rats
at certain time periods and lowered the relative weights of the testes
in these animals. Fluoride, in combination with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin
D3, significantly increased the dry and mineral (ash) weights of the
femurs of the Cd2+ exposed rats above that of the controls, a finding
which may be relevant to the treatment of osteoporosis. Exposure of ra
ts to Cd2+ significantly depressed the hematocrits and erythrocyte cou
nts and altered the ratio of granuloid to mononuclear peripheral leuko
cytes. Treatment of Cd2+ exposed rats with either vitamin A and 1,25-d
ihydroxyvitamin D3 or vitamins A and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and fluo
ride appeared to lessen the hematotoxicity associated with Cd2+ exposu
re.