The influence of ascorbic acid on lipid peroxidation in guinea pigs intoxicated with cadmium.

Cadmium (as CdCl2) administered at a dose of 1 mg Cd/animal/day in drinking water to guinea pigs with a low intake of ascorbic acid (2 mg/animal/day) increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the kidney, liver and serum after 5 wk of treatment. A high intake of ascorbic acid (100 mg/animal/day) decreased LPO (determined from malondialdehyde levels) in the kidney, liver and serum of Cd-treated guinea pigs. Administration of Cd to guinea pigs with a low intake of ascorbic acid significantly increased LPO in the kidney at 5 wk, in comparison with controls given low levels of ascorbic acid but no Cd. However, at 12 wk, LPO in the kidney of Cd-treated guinea pigs was significantly lower than in the controls. These results indicate that the level of lipid peroxides in the kidney of guinea pigs with a low intake of ascorbic acid depends on the amount of accumulated cadmium.