The potential protective role of lysophospholipid mediators in nephrotoxicity induced by chronically exposed cadmium.

Cadmium is a hazardous metal whose chronic exposure induces renal failure due to fibrosis, but the mechanisms are not well known. In this study we analyzed the molecular species of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and related phospholipids, together with their metabolic enzyme activity, in plasma from Wistar rats exposed up to 300ppm Cd(2+) in drinking water for 114days. Exposure of 300ppm Cd(2+) for 114days enhanced autotoxin (ATX)/lysophospholipase D activity, but significantly lowered the total levels of LPA and lysophosphatidylethanolamine.