COMPARATIVE NEPHROTOXICITY OF CADMIUM AND MERCURY ADMINISTERED INTRAVENOUSLY WITH PENICILLAMINE INTO MICE

The nephrotoxicity of cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in an acute exposu re were compared by injecting both metals intravenously with DL-penici llamine (Pen) into mice. The lowest doses which showed significant inc reases of urinary protein were 2 mg Cd/kg and 4 mg Hg/kg. At dosage le vels at which the kidney was injured, the metal concentrations in the kidney supernatant fractions no longer increased with dose, and those in the kidney homogenates showed a plateau. Renal critical concentrati ons were estimated as 11 mug Cd/g-tissue (about 100 nmol Cd/g-tissue) and 26-29 mug Hg/g-tissue (about 130-145 nmol Hg/g-tissue). The result s may suggest that Cd is a potent nephrotoxin comparable to Hg in acut e exposure.