THE GENOTOXICITY AND CYTOTOXICITY OF DERMALLY-ADMINISTERED CADMIUM - EFFECTS OF DERMAL CADMIUM ADMINISTRATION

Cadmium, unlike zinc, selenium and copper, has no known biological imp ortance, and therefore, it is classified as a 'suspect' carcinogen in humans, as well as in animals. The effect(s) of levels of dermally-adm inistered cadmium on cadmium genotoxicity and cytotoxicity was investi gated in Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats for 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days at concentrations of 14 and 28 mg/kg/day. Exposure of rats to cadmium via dermal application caused lesions on the skin (hyperkeratosis, acanth osis and scabbing, alopecia and erythema) and tumors in the scrotum. A natomical changes, such as distention of the stomach, atrophy of kidne y and Liver and loss of body weight were also observed in these rats. The toxic effects of cadmium on cell ultrastructure were nuclear membr ane damage, chromatin condensation, regression of mitochondrial crista e and ultimately cell death. Analyses of the brain, kidney and liver c ells of rats exposed to cadmium, clearly showed DNA damage. Of the thr ee organs examined, DNA from kidney cells sustained the most damage fo llowed by DNA in liver cells. There is a positive correlation between Cd dose(s) and duration of exposure and the extent of DNA damage.