Effect of inhalation exposure to cadmium oxide on arterial blood pressure, lipid metabolism and tissue cadmium concentration in rats.

The arterial blood pressure, lipid content in serum and some organs, cadmium level in blood, aorta wall, lung and liver have been examined in rats repeatedly exposed to cadmium oxide fume 5 hours daily, 5 days a week, during 6 months. The blood pressure in rats exposed to cadmium oxide at concentration 0.02 mg Cd/m3 and 0.16 mg Cd/m3 was not changed, but it was slightly lowered at concentration 1.0 mg Cd/m3, which has been found lethal for rats. The concentration of total cholesterol, phospholipids and cholesterol esters in serum of female rats exposed at concentration of 0.16 mg Cd/m3 for 3 months was decreased, but was not affected after 6 months of exposure. The content of cholesterol and triglycerides in aorta wall, heart and liver was unchanged, although the content of cholesterol was decreased in adrenals of rats exposed for 3 months at concentration of 0.16 mg Cd/m3. Inhalation of cadmium oxide brought about the marked increase of Cd content in lung and kidney of rats exposed at all concentrations an increase of Cd blood level in rats exposed at concentrations of 0.16 mg Cd/m3 and 1.0 mg Cd/m3 and no increase of Cd content in aorta wall.