INFLUENCE OF DIETARY IRON-DEFICIENCY ON ACUTE METAL INTOXICATION

The influence of dietary iron deficiency on acute nickel, lead or cadm ium toxicity as reflected by the induction of hepatic, renal and intes tinal metallothionein (MT), disposition of the metals, and alterations in hematological parameters was investigated in rats. The administrat ion of cadmium induced the hepatic, renal and intestinal MT while that of nickel or lead induced hepatic MT only. However, dietary iron defi ciency did not influence the cadmium induced tissue MT but enhanced th e ability of nickel or lead to restore the normal synthesis of renal a nd intestinal MT lowered under the influence of reduced body iron stat us. The accumulation of lead in liver and kidney and that of cadmium e nhanced in liver only, while tissue deposition of nickel remained unaf fected by iron deficiency. The induction of hepatic MT by three metals appears related to the concomitant rise in the hepatic zinc, calcium and iron levels in normal rats. However, dietary iron deficiency incre ased the hepatic zinc in response to nickel or cadmium and that of hep tic calcium in response to lead.