RISK ASSESSMENT OF CADMIUM TOXICITY ON HEPATIC AND RENAL TISSUES OF RATS

Pollution and industrial practices result in concentrations of metals and other environmental agents that are related to environmental toxic ity. A rat bioassay was utilized for the identification of toxic effec ts of cadmium intake. This demonstrated increased total urinary protei ns and increased kidney weights in rats exposed to CdCl2, for 7 days, in drinking water (100 mg/L). Serum creatinine, total and direct bilir ubin concentrations and alanine transaminase activity were increased i n Cd-exposed rats, indicating renal and hepatic toxicity. It was also observed that lipoperoxide concentrations were increased, while Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activity was decreased in rats treated with cadmi um. This indicated that the renal and hepatic toxicity induced by cadm ium involved superoxide radicals. (C) 1998 Academic Press.