The effect of zinc on the dithiocarbamate-induced mobilization of cadmium deposits in mice.

In comparison with similar experiments in which no zinc acetate was used, the addition of small amounts of zinc acetate to sodium N-methyl-N-dithiocarboxyglucamine produces a significant increase in the amount of cadmium mobilized from the liver and kidneys of mice loaded ip with 10 mg CdCl2.2.5H2O/kg 2 wk prior to the initiation of treatment. Neither treatment results in the transport of significant amounts of cadmium to the brain. The injection of zinc acetate alone did not produce this effect. Experiments in which zinc acetate in drinking water was administered to cadmium-loaded animals showed that the liver and kidney cadmium levels were significantly increased, presumably via zinc-mediated processes in which cadmium from other organs was mobilized to the liver and kidneys.