Relationship Between Metallothionein and Cadmium-Induced Liver and Kidney Injury

Objective To observe subchronic cadmium-induced liver and kidney injury,and to study the relationship between Metallothionein(MT)and cadmium toxicity. Methods 0.5mg/kg Cd2+ as CdCl2 solution was injected intraperitoneally,3 times/week,and the functions of liver and kidney were detected dynamically in 10 weeks of cadmium exposure. Results After 6-week cadmium exposure,the injury of liver and kidney was observed functionally and morphologically,and the mole ratio of Cd over MT in corresponding tissue was greater than 7. The severity of cadmium-induced damage increased with the increase of CdMT ratio. Conclusion Both liver and kidney are targets of subchronic cadmium exposure,and non-MT-bound cadmium may be an important component in cadmium pathogenesis.