Effect of cadmium upon the activity of some selected marker enzymes in rat liver

The aim of this study was to determine activities of selected enzymes, i.e. Mg(++)-stimulated ATP-ase, acid phosphatase (AcP), esterase and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in rat liver after intragastric administration of cadmium chloride. The investigations were performed on forty male rats, Wistar strain, which made up one control group and two experimental groups. The rats of one experimental group were given a single dose of cadmium chloride solution of 88 mg CdCl2 per kg body weight (Group I), whereas the other experimental group received a double dose, i.e. 176 mg CdCl2 per kg body weight (Group II). The activities of enzymatic reactions were determined by means of analysis of surface optical density using the image computer analyzer, whereas the degree of mental accumulation was estimated with atom absorption spectrophotometry. Following cadmium chloride administration, the activities of SDH and esterase decreased in both experimental groups compared to controls. The decrease in both enzymatic activities was statistically significant. Similarly, activities of ACP and Mg(++)-stimulated ATP-ase decreased below control level in the rats of the Group I, which were given lower dose of CdCl2. This change was not statistically significant. Higher dose of CdCl2 (Group II) caused a statistically significant increase in acid phosphatase activity and only a small increase (bearing no statistical significance) in Mg(++)-stimulated ATP-ase activity. In addition, it was found that the accumulation of cadmium in both the liver and the kidneys is dose-related.