| Abstract: | Concentration of Metallothionein in Major Organs of Rats afterAdministration of Various Metals. WAALKES, M. P., AND KLAASSEN,C. D. (1985) Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 5, 473–477. The effectof various metals (Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, Zn) at maximumtolerated doses on metallothionein (MT) concentrations in majororgans (brain, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas,spleen, stomach, and testes) of rats was measured by the Cd-radioassaytechnique. Zn produced the most dramatic changes in MT, increasingconcentrations 260-, 86-, 44-, and 14-fold over control forpancreas, intestine, liver, and kidney, respectively. Zn increasedMT in every organ examined except brain. Cd was also effectivein increasing MT levels, elevating concentrations in all organsexcept brain and testes. Testes was the only organ in whicha metal decreased MT levels, where Cd produced a 90% decrease.Cr, Fe, Pb, and Mn increased MT concentrations only in hepatictissue, while Hg and Ni increased MT in liver, kidney, and pancreas.Results indicate that Zn is the most effective inducer of MTsynthesis in several tissues and that liver appears to be themost responsive organ to increased MT synthesis following exposureto a number of metals |
