Glutathione depletion and oxidative damage in mitochondria following exposure to cadmium in rat liver and kidney

The dose-dependent effects of cadmium (Cd) on mitochondria and post-mitocho ndrial supernatant (PMS) of liver and kidney were investigated in adult mal e albino rats. Two groups of rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.1 mg Cd/kg body weight and 1 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for a period of 3 months (5 days/week). This resulted in a significant decrease in total g lutathione (GSH) levels, irrespective of the doses, in mitochondrial as wel l as in PMS fractions of liver and kidney. In contrast, end products of lip id and protein were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner in s ubcellular fractions of liver and kidney. These results suggest that the de pletion of tissue glutathione levels is not a primary reason of the observe d oxidative damage in liver and kidney caused by Cd. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.