Effect of chronic cadmium treatment on the ascorbic acid status of the rat.

In rats chronically treated with varying doses of cadmium (Cd) (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 mg/kg body wt.), i.p., every alternate day for 7 weeks, a decrease in the ascorbic acid (AA) content of adrenals and liver was observed. In the adrenals AA depletion was significant and dose-dependent at all concentrations. In liver the decrease was significant only at a concentration of 0.75 and 1.00 mg/kg but the spleen did not show any change in AA content. Urinary excretion of beta2-microglobulin with increasing doses of Cd indicated progressive renal tubular damage. The decrease in tissue AA status was correlated with the severity of the renal tubular damage resulting in an inhibition of its reabsorption from the kidneys.