title: The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of dermally-administered cadmium: effects of dermal cadmium administration.
abstract: Cadmium, unlike zinc, selenium and copper, has no known biological importance, and therefore, it is classified as a carcinogen in humans, as well as in animals. The effect(s) of levels of dermally-administered cadmium on cadmium genotoxicity and cytotoxicity was investigated in Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats for 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days at concentrations of 14 and 28 mg/kg/day. Exposure of rats to cadmium via dermal application caused lesions on the skin (hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and scabbing, alopecia and erythema) and tumors in the scrotum. Anatomical changes, such as distention of the stomach, atrophy of kidney and liver and loss of body weight were also observed in these rats. The toxic effects of cadmium on cell ultrastructure were nuclear membrane damage, chromatin condensation, regression of mitochondrial cristae and ultimately cell death. Analyses of the brain, kidney and liver cells of rats exposed to cadmium, clearly showed DNA damage. Of the three organs examined, DNA from kidney cells sustained the most damage followed by DNA in liver cells. There is a positive correlation between Cd dose(s) and duration of exposure and the extent of DNA damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Division of Environmental Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fasanya-Odewumi
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Latinwo
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Ikediobi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gilliard
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sponholtz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nwoga
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stino
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Erdos
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D019256:Cadmium Chloride