Effect of protein calorie malnutrition and calcium deficiency on hepatic iso-metallothioneins in Cd-exposed monkeys.

Oral administration of cadmium results in the induction of metallothionein in liver of rhesus monkeys subjected to protein calorie malnutrition and calcium deficiency. Metallothionein was resolved into three iso-proteins viz. MTa, MTb & MTc which varied in their quantities and metal composition in these nutritional stress conditions. 'MTc' was the major iso-protein in protein calorie malnourished monkeys, while 'MTb' predominated in the calcium deficient group.