Cadmium, zinc, copper and metallothionein levels in human liver
EM Bem, JK Piotrowski, M Sobczak-Kozlowska… - International archives of …, 1988 - Springer
EM Bem, JK Piotrowski, M Sobczak-Kozlowska, C Dmuchowski
International archives of occupational and environmental health, 1988•SpringerThe concentrations of cadmium, zinc, copper and metallothionein in the autopsy samples of
liver among the inhabitants of Łódź (Poland) were determined. The cadmium levels were
low in the range of 1.5 to 5.8 μg/g. The concentration of metallothionein determined by the
Hg-method was high (0.160–1.665 μmol Hg/g); it was mainly a Zn-thionein. The percentage
of hepatic zinc bound in the MT-fraction increased with the overall content of zinc in the liver.
The elevation of zinc in the liver occurs in the proportion required for the saturation of metal …
liver among the inhabitants of Łódź (Poland) were determined. The cadmium levels were
low in the range of 1.5 to 5.8 μg/g. The concentration of metallothionein determined by the
Hg-method was high (0.160–1.665 μmol Hg/g); it was mainly a Zn-thionein. The percentage
of hepatic zinc bound in the MT-fraction increased with the overall content of zinc in the liver.
The elevation of zinc in the liver occurs in the proportion required for the saturation of metal …
Summary
The concentrations of cadmium, zinc, copper and metallothionein in the autopsy samples of liver among the inhabitants of Łódź (Poland) were determined. The cadmium levels were low in the range of 1.5 to 5.8 μg/g. The concentration of metallothionein determined by the Hg-method was high (0.160–1.665 μmol Hg/g); it was mainly a Zn-thionein. The percentage of hepatic zinc bound in the MT-fraction increased with the overall content of zinc in the liver. The elevation of zinc in the liver occurs in the proportion required for the saturation of metal-binding ligands of metallothionein. The role of cadmium remains less clear. Our results suggest that the metallothionein level in the liver increase significantly in response to elevated cadmium concentrations. This response, however, is in high excess to the demand which is justified stoichiometrically.
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