title: Effects of cadmium and monensin on renal and cardiac functions of mice subjected to subacute cadmium intoxication.
abstract: Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known nephrotoxic agent. Cd-induced renal dysfunction has been considered as one of the causes leading to the development of hypertension. The correlation between Cd concentration in blood and urine and cardiovascular diseases has been discussed in many epidemiological studies. A therapy with chelating agents is utilized for the treatment of toxic metal intoxication. Herein we present novel information indicating that monensin (applied as tetraethylammonium salt) is a promising chelating agent for the treatment of Cd-induced renal and cardiac dysfunction. The study was performed using the ICR mouse model. Adult ICR male mice were divided into three groups with six animals in each group: control (received distilled water and food ad libitum for 28 days); Cd-intoxicated (treated orally with 20 mg/kg b.w. Cd(II) acetate from day 1 to day 14 of the experimental protocol), and monensin treated group (intoxicated with Cd(II) acetate as described for the Cd-intoxicated group followed by oral treatment with 16 mg/kg b.w. tetraethylammonium salt of monensic acid for 2 weeks). Cd intoxication of the animals resulted in an increase of the organ weight/body weight indexes. Cd elevated significantly creatinine and glucose level in serum. Monensin treatment improved the organ weight/body weight ratios. The therapy of the Cd-intoxicated animals with monensin ameliorated the creatinine and glucose level in serum and decreased the concentration of the toxic metal ions in the heart and kidneys by 54% and 64%, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University "St. Kl. Ohridski", Kozjak 1 Str., 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ivanova
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, BAS, Acad. Georgi Bonchev Str., bl. 25, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Yordanka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gluhcheva
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University, "St. Kl. Ohridski" J. Bourchier blvd 1, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arpadjan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University, "St. Kl. Ohridski" J. Bourchier blvd 1, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitewa
keywords: Cadmium; cardiac function; chelating agents; in vivo model; monensin; renal function