Combined nephrotoxicity of methylmercury, lead, and cadmium in Pekin ducks: Metallothionein, metal interactions, and histopathology

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287398909531257· OSTI ID:7059440

Rao, P V.V.P.; Jordan, S A; Bhatnagar, M K ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Guelph, Ontario (Canada)

This report describes the metallothionein (MT) levels and accumulation of mercury, lead, and cadmium, as well as their interaction with tissue zinc, copper, and iron, and the histopathological changes in kidneys of ducks exposed to methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl), lead acetate (PbAc), and cadmium chloride (CdCl{sub 2}), singly or in combination for 13 wk. Forty-eight female Pekin ducks, divided into 8 groups of 6 birds each, were fed diets containing no added metals (control), 8 mg MeHgCl/kg feed, 80 mg PbAc/kg feed, 80 mg CdCl{sub 2}/kg feed, 8 mg MeHgCl + 80 mg PbAc/kg feed, 8 mg MeHgCl + 80 mg CdCL{sub 2}/kg feed, 80 mg PbAc + 80 mg CdCl{sub 2}/kg feed, and 8 mg MeHgCl + 80 mg PbAc/kg feed + 80 mg CdCl{sub 2}/kg feed. Cadmium (Cd) when administered alone or in combination caused a 60-fold increase in kidney MT levels, while methyl-mercury (MeHg) or lead (Pb) administration caused a threefold increase in kidney MT levels. No significant changes in kidney MT levels were observed when metals were administered concurrently when compared with single-treatment groups. Residue analysis revealed accumulation of administered metals in kidney tissue. However, lead administration resulted in accumulation of small amounts of this element in kidney tissue. Simultaneous administration of MeHgCl and PbAc significantly increased the accumulation of lead in kidney when compared with PbAc-treated group. Cadmium when administered alone or in combination caused an increase in the levels of zinc and copper in kidney. Administration of MeHgCl or PbAc either alone or in combination caused increased iron levels in kidney, while cadmium administration either alone or in combination caused decreased iron levels. Administration of cadmium either alone or in combination caused degenerative changes in kidney proximal tubules.

• OSTI ID: 7059440
• Journal Information: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA) Vol. 26:3; ISSN JTEHD; ISSN 0098-4108
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIRDS
BODY
CADMIUM
COPPER
DUCKS
ELEMENTS
FOWL
IRON
KIDNEYS
KINETICS
LEAD
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
METALLOPROTEINS
METALLOTHIONEIN
METALS
METHYLMERCURY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PROTEINS
REACTION KINETICS
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
ZINC