Evaluation of zinc effect on cadmium action in lipid peroxidation and metallothionein levels in the brain.

Cadmium (Cd) is a known hepato- and nephrotoxic pollutant and zinc (Zn) metalloproteins are important targets of Cd. Hence, the administration of Zn may mitigate Cd toxic effects. However, the interaction of Cd and Zn has been little investigated in the brain.

Cd modifies hepatic Zn deposition and modulates δ-ALA-D activity and MT levels by distinct mechanisms.

Cadmium (Cd) is a pollutant that is harmful to human and animals. The liver is a target for Cd accumulation and it can disrupt Zn homeostasis. Here we examined the interaction of Zn and Cd to determine how these two metals could affect δ-aminolevulinate-dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) and metallothionein (MT), two potential molecular endpoints for Cd hepatotoxicity.