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Title: Direct effect of cadmium on blood pressure and adrenergic system in the cat

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6748222

The dose-response effect of cadmium on systolic and diastolic pressure were measured in the cat after injecting a bolus of cadmium intravenously. In animals treated with 100, 125, or 150 ug cadmium/kg BW systolic and diastolic pressure were both significantly increased. These increases were gradual as the dose Cd was increased from 75 to 125 ug. In an attempt to determine the mechanism associated with cadmium-induced hypertension in the cat the effect of this element on the adrenergic system was studied. The effect of ..cap alpha.. and BETA agonists on cadmium-induced increase in blood pressure were determined by the injection of either propranolol or phentolamine at 20 mg/kg BW. The hypertensive effect of 125 ug Cd was abolished by phentolamine but not by propranolol suggesting, that Cd may induce the release of norepinephrine from storage sites. In support of this suggestion we observed in cats treated with 125 ug Cd a significant increase in plasma norepinephrine which was not affected by propranolol or phentolamine injections. However reserpine pretreatment abolished both the increase in plasma norepinephrine and the cadmium-induced hypertensive effect. The data suggest that the associated mechanism of cadmium-induced hypertension may be related to the effect of this element of the release of norepinephrine. Increases in the extracellular levels of this neurotransmitter in turn provokes a rise in blood pressure through its interaction with the receptors of vascular smooth muscle cells. 38 references, 7 figures, 1 table.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Research Inst., TN (USA). Research and Development Dept.; Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400; AC05-82ER60094
OSTI ID:
6748222
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/60094-T1; ON: DE84014613
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English