Rle of metallothionein in the elevated excretion of copper in urine from people living in a cadmium-polluted area

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-0590(86)90242-3· OSTI ID:5616605

Mitane, Y; Tohyama, C; Saito, H

Gel chromatographic analysis of urine specimens obtained from three women environmentally exposed to cadmium (Cd) was carried out to study the relationship between urinary excretion of heavy metals and metallothionein (MT). In one of the three Cd-exposed women MT was detected in the fraction corresponding to molecular weight of about 10,000 (MT-F) by radioimmunoassay, and Cd and copper (Cu) peaks were also observed in the MT-F. However, in the other two Cd-exposed women no metal peak was found in the MT-F although MT alone was detected in it. When urine specimens from these subjects were treated with 2-mercaptoethanol before chromatography, appreciable amounts of Cd and Cu were recovered in the MT-F. In a sample to which dithiothreitol was added at the time of urine collection more than 60% of both Cd and Cu were recovered in the MT-F. These results support the suggestion that MT is so susceptible to oxidation that metals bound to MT can be released from it and distribute in high or low molecular weight fractions. It is also suggested that most urinary Cd and Cu is excreted with MT and that MT is directly involved in the increased excretion of these metals, especially Cu, in people environmentally exposed to Cd.

• Research Organization: National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan
• OSTI ID: 5616605
• Journal Information: Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN FAATD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550501 -- Metabolism-- Tracer Techniques
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BODY FLUIDS
CADMIUM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
CLEARANCE
COPPER
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
EXCRETION
IMMUNOASSAY
IMMUNOLOGY
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
MATERIALS
METALLOPROTEINS
METALLOTHIONEIN
METALS
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
RADIOASSAY
RADIOIMMUNOASSAY
RADIOIMMUNOLOGY
REDOX REACTIONS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TOXICITY
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
URINE
WASTES