Comparative Hepatotoxicity of Inhaled Cadmium Chloride and Cadmium Oxide

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Abstract
The toxicity of inhaled aerosols of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and cadmium oxide (CdO) on hepatic biochemical function was compared. Male rats were exposed for 2 hours to concentrations of 0.45 and 4.5 mg Cd/m3. Serum and liver enzymes and histological changes were studied immediately and 72 hours after exposure. Exposure to 4.5 mg/m3 CdCl2 and CdO resulted in an increase in liver Cd content. This deposition was not observed at the lower concentrations. Following exposure to 4.5 mg/m3 CdCl2, decreases in body and liver weight, as well as decreased activities of glutathione (GSH)-reductase, GSH-peroxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) were observed. Increases in serum bilirubin and activities of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase were evident 72 hours after exposure. Exposure to 4.5 mg/m3 CdO caused decreased activities of GSH-reductase and peroxidase, G-6-PDH, and an increased activity of serum alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. Exposure to 0.45 mg/m3 CdCl2, produced more hepatic effects than did a similar exposure to CdO. This differential response between inhalation of CdCl2 and CdO was probably due to a rapid clearance of CdCl2 or Cd2+ ions from the lung and transport to the liver via the systemic blood circulation.