Effect of subchronic cadmium exposure on hepatic and renal glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase in rats

Male Wistar rats received orally a solution of cadmium chloride at a dose corresponding to 10 mg of cadmium/kg of diet. Rats were killed at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of cadmium administration and 7 days postdosing. Results showed that the cadmium intoxication affected renal and hepatic glutathione content and superoxide dismutase in a dose-dependent manner. Changes in glutathione S-transferase activity produced by repeated exposure to cadmium give an alternating pattern of increases and decreases in the response to each subsequent exposure. It may be suggested that the response of glutathione S-transferase depends on the duration of exposure to cadmium. No clear relationship between glutathione content and glutathione S-transferase was found.