The tissue disposition of zinc and copper following repeated administration of cadmium and selenium to rats.

Female rats were divided into four groups of five rats each including one control group (C). The animals were administered Na2SeO3 (Se), (CdCl2 Cd), and Na2SeO3 + CdCl2 (Cd + Se). Sodium selenite was given intragastrically at a dose of 0.5 mg Se/kg every day and cadmium chloride was injected subcutaneously every other day at a dose of 0.3 mg Cd/kg for 2 weeks. Exposure of rats to Cd caused an increase in the concentration of copper in the kidneys, blood, and liver and a decrease in the lung, but increased the concentration of zinc in the liver and brain and diminished it in the muscles and bones. In animals exposed to Se an increase in the copper concentration was observed in blood and brain; zinc was increased in the blood, heart, brain, and stomach, but decreased in the kidneys. Exposure of rats to Cd + Se resulted in an increase of copper in the kidneys and a decrease in the spleen, lungs, stomach, muscles and bones. Se prevented the cadmium-induced diminution of the zinc levels in the muscles and bones.