EFFECTS OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION DURING CHELATING AGENT ADMINISTRATIONIN CADMIUM INTOXICATION IN RATS

The concomitant administration of zinc during chelation of cadmium (Cd ) with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) or calcium trisodium di ethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA) was investigated in male rat s subchronically exposed to Cd, The results suggest that the administr ation of zinc alone after cadmium exposure does not elicit any protect ive effects, However, when supplemented during treatment with DTPA it produced a significant turnover in the altered biochemical variables a nd a depletion of Cd concentration in liver and kidneys. Cadmium-induc ed elevated hepatic metallothionein (MT) contents remained practically unaltered on Zn-DTPA administration, but there was a significant incr ease in renal MT levels compared to rats administered Cd-DTPA or Cd al one. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.