Influence of certain metals on the level of metallothionein‐like proteins in the liver and kidneys of rats

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Abstract
Rats were given certain metal salts once every other day for 6-8 doses and thereafter the levels of metallothionein-like proteins (MTP) were determined in their liver and kidneys. The normal level of those proteins ranged from 0.1-0.4 mglg in the liver and 0.2-0.6 mglg in the kidney. Mg, Ba, Sr, Sn, As, Se, Cr, and Ni administration did not influence the tissue levels of MTP. There was a tendency toward increased MTP levels in the liver after the application of high doses of Fe. A significant increase in MTP levels in the liver resulted from Co administration and in the kidneys of Bi-treated rats. Molecular filtration showed that both metals were partially bound in vivo to protein fractions, the molecular weights of which are close to that of metallothionein.