Stimulation of adrenal DNA synthesis in cadmium-treated male rats

Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at a dose of 1 mg/kg body wt was injected into male rats of the Wistar strain, weighing 250 g on the average, twice a day (12-hr intervals) for 7 consecutive days. DNA and RNA contents and [3H]-thymidine and [3H]-uridine incorporation into the acid-insoluble fraction significantly increased in the adrenals or rats treated with Cd for 2 and 7 consecutive days. Adrenal protein content and weight also significantly increased. These results indicate that continued treatment with Cd stimulates DNA and RNA synthesis in the adrenal cortex, which in turn results in the increase of the total protein contents of the adrenal gland and subsequently in the enlargement of the gland. Serum adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and insulin levels in Cd-treated rats were not higher than control levels, suggesting that the stimulation of DNA synthesis in the adrenals of Cd-treated rats is due to factor(s) other than serum ACTH and insulin. Treatment with Cd inhibited DNA synthesis in cultured adrenocortical cells at concentrations of 10(-4) to 10(-8) M, suggesting that Cd does not directly stimulate DNA synthesis in the adrenal gland in vivo. Although the adrenal gland became enlarged, the total adrenal corticosterone content decreased significantly. The decrease of total adrenal corticosterone content may be due to the fall in serum ACTH level of Cd-treated rats.