title: Effects of zinc on cadmium-induced alterations in hepatic functions and blood glucose of rats.
abstract: The role of zinc (Zn) in preventing cadmium (Cd)-induced alterations of liver function and carbohydrate metabolism was studied in female rats. The animals were divided into four groups. To the diet for Group I was added 200 micrograms Cd/g of diet, to that for Group II was added 200 micrograms Zn/g of diet, and to that for Group III were added 200 micrograms Cd/g and 200 micrograms Zn/g of diet. Group IV was the control group fed normal diet. At the 11th, 26th, and 40th week of exposure, one-third of each group of animals were sacrificed and serum GPT and ALP activities, and glucose and insulin levels were measured. At the 26th and 40th week, serum GPT activity of Group I was significantly higher compared with those of Groups III and IV, and the serum glucose value of Group I was lower than that of Group III. At the 40th week, the serum insulin value of Group I was significantly higher than that of Group III. From these results, it is suggested that orally administered Zn prevents Cd-induced alterations of liver functions and the regulation of blood glucose in rats.
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000502:physiology*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002104:Cadmium; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D015032:Zinc