Effects of interaction between 65Zn, cadmium, and copper in rats

Distribution and retention of zinc in the presence of cadmium and copper was studied in rats exposed repeatedly to these metals. The experiment was performed on white rats of the Wistar strain. The animals were divided into four groups/five rats each: 1) 65ZnCl2; 2) 65ZnCl2 + CdCl2; 3) 65ZnCl2 + CuCl2; and 4) control group. Rats were administered sc every other day for two weeks: 65ZnCl2-5 mg Zn/kg; CdCl2-0,3 Cd/kg; and CuCl2-2 mg Cu/kg. The zinc content was measured in rat tissues by gamma-counting. Effect of Cd and Cu on subcellular distribution of zinc in the kidney and liver and on the level of metallothionein were also examined. Whole body retention of zinc under the influence of cadmium was lower than that observed in animals treated with zinc alone. However, copper increased twofold the whole body retention of zinc. Cadmium elevated the accumulation of zinc only in the kidneys nuclear fraction and liver soluble fraction. In the kidneys and liver, copper elevated the accumulation of zinc, in the nuclear, mitochondrial, and soluble fractions. The level of metallothionein-like proteins (MT) in the kidneys after a combined supply of zinc and copper was significantly increased with respect to the group of animals treated with zinc alone. These results indicated complex interactions between cadmium, copper, and zinc that can affect the metabolism of each of the metals.