title: Effects of dietary intake of trace metals on tissue contents of sodium and calcium in mice (Mus musculus).
abstract: Mice were given either cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) or zinc (Zn) ad lib, and levels of the metals in the heart, kidneys and liver were measured together with organ contents of sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca). The contents of Cd increased more than 100-fold in all organs, whereas Zn increased by a factor of 2-4. Copper accumulated only in the liver. Cadmium exposure caused the Na and Ca contents in the kidneys to increase by a factor of 2-3, but caused a statistically significant reduction in the Na content of the liver. Cadmium also caused a reduction in the Ca content of the heart. Copper caused a statistically significant doubling of the Na content in the heart, but a significant reduction in the Ca content in this organ. Zinc caused a reduction in the Ca content of the heart. However, the mechanisms behind these effects are not clear. The accumulation of Cd in the kidneys and heart was associated with a gradual change in the Na and Ca levels in these organs, but trace metal accumulation was not associated with any conspicuous changes in the Na or Ca contents in any other organ. Copper was not accumulated in heart, but Cu intake still had marked effects on the Na and Ca contents in this organ. Since the tissue contents of Na and Ca are likely to be physiologically important, these ions may have potential as biomarkers for toxic stress. Since the effects of Cd and Cu differed markedly, the tissue contents of Na and Ca may also be used in a trace metal-specific system of fingerprint biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Ecophysiology and Toxicology, Department of Zoology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Aslaug-Johanne
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pettersen
authors.forename: Rolf A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Karl Erik
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Zachariassen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D004032:Diet; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D009929:Organ Size; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002712:Chlorides; D014131:Trace Elements; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D003300:Copper; C016837:zinc chloride; D012964:Sodium; D019256:Cadmium Chloride; D002118:Calcium