Cadmium induction of renal and hepatic ornithine decarboxylase activity in the rat. Effects of sex hormones and involvement of the renin-angiotensin system.

We investigated the effect of sex hormones on the sex-dependent response of rat kidney ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity to cadmium (Cd) administration and the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in mediating stimulation of the liver enzyme by the metal. The response of renal ODC to Cd, which occurs in intact adult males but not in females, is also detectable in prepubertal and castrated males. Upon treatment with 17 beta-estradiol, the basal levels of enzyme activity in intact or castrated adult males were enhanced and Cd administration failed to increase them further. In adult females the kidney enzyme became responsive after ovariectomy. Also, in prepubertal females renal ODC was induced by Cd, and this was prevented by treatment with 17 beta-estradiol. Under the same conditions, changes in the levels of Cd accumulation within the kidney, that might account for variations in the response of ODC activity, did not occur. Cd caused an increase in renin activity starting minutes after its injection. Captopril, which specifically inhibits the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, prevented completely the induction of liver ODC by this metal; stimulation of the enzyme by Co was not affected by the drug. A similar inhibitory effect was exerted by propranolol. Adrenalectomy had no influence on the response of hepatic ODC to Cd; the decarboxylase was unaffected by aldosterone administration. It is suggested that Cd may induce liver ODC through the increase in angiotensin II following stimulation of renin by the metal.