The preventive effect of prednisolone on the adrenal toxicity of cadmium.

The effects of a single dose of 3.3 mg/kg body weight i.p. or of a single dose of 0.2 mg/kg per os of cadmium and prednisolone on the adrenal weight and the thickness of the adrenal cortex were investigated in female mice. A significant increase was detected in the mean weight of the adrenals and the thickness of the adrenal cortex was significantly higher than the control value on days 1-3 following cadmium treatment. A dramatic decrease was observed in both adrenal weight and adrenal cortex thickness on day 4 following cadmium administration. No significant change occurred in the adrenals when prednisolone was given orally to mice following cadmium administration. This observation indicates a protective action of prednisolone on cadmium-induced adrenal toxicity.