Metabolic alterations of liver regeneration. XV. Cadmium-mediated depression of thymidine and thymidylate kinase induction in rats.

Cadmium administered shortly before or after partial hepatectomy blocks in a dose-dependent manner the increase of thymidine and thymidylate kinase activities in regenerating rat livers. The effect of cadmium can be partially antagonized by simultaneous zinc administration. The intraperitoneal injection of cadmium is more effective than its subcutaneous administration. While there are in vitro differences in the sensitivity of thymidine kinase and thymidylate kinase towards Cd2+-, Zn2%- and Cu2+-ions, both enzymes are equally depressed following their in vivo administration. Cadmium displays the highest inhibitory activity and resembles in this respect beryllium [1].