Preventive effect of vitamin E in cadmium intoxication.

The influence of vitamin E on cadmium intoxication was investigated in rats. The exposure to cadmium (1 mg/kg, Cd as CdCl2.2H2O, intraperitoneally for 7 days) decreased the activity of hepatic and renal glutamic oxalacetic and glutamic pyruvic transaminases (GOT, GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) accompanied by increase in the levels of serum GOT and GPT and urinary protein. Simultaneous administration of vitamin E (5 mg/kg, intramuscularly for 7 days) reduced these Cd induced biochemical alterations. The accumulation of Cd in blood, liver and kidney also decreased significantly upon co-exposure to vitamin E. The antioxidant property of vitamin E seems to be responsible for the observed protection of Cd intoxication.