Abstract
The nephrotoxicity of cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in an acute exposure were compared by injecting both metals intravenously with DL-penicillamine (Pen) into mice. The lowest doses which showed significant increases of urinary protein were 2 mg Cd/kg and 4 mg Hg/kg. At dosage levels at which the kidney was injured, the metal concentrations in the kidney supernatant fractions no longer increased with dose, and those in the kidney homogenates showed a plateau. Renal critical concentrations were estimated as 11 μg Cd/g-tissue (about 100 nmol Cd/g-tissue) and 26-29 μg Hg/g-tissue (about 130-145 nmol Hg/g-tissue). The results may suggest that Cd is a potent nephrotoxin comparable to Hg in acute exposure.
