Comparative effects of cadmium, zinc, and lead in vitro on pulmonary, adrenal, and hepatic microsomal metabolism in the guinea pig.

The in vitro effects of Cd, Zn, and Pb on pulmonary, adrenal, and hepatic microsomal enzyme activities in guinea pigs were compared. Cd and Zn produced concentration-dependent (20-200 microM) decreases in benzphetamine demethylase and biphenyl hydroxylase activities in adrenal, liver, and lung. Pb had no significant effect on either enzyme in any of the tissues studied. Adrenal and pulmonary enzymes were more sensitive to the effects of Cd and Zn than were hepatic enzymes. Benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase and ethoxycoumarin deethylase activities were decreased by Zn, Cd, and Pb in adrenal, liver, and lung microsomes. The inhibitory effect on benzo[a]pyrene and ethoxycoumarin metabolism were far greater than those on benzphetamine or biphenyl metabolism. The relative potencies of the metals as inhibitors of xenobiotic metabolism were Zn greater than Cd greater than Pb. Cd and Zn also inhibited steroid 21-hydroxylase activity in adrenal microsomes, but Pb had no effect on steroid metabolism. In addition, microsomal epoxide hydratase activity in adrenal, liver, and lung was inhibited by Cd but not by Zn or Pb. The results demonstrate that adrenal and pulmonary microsomal enzymes, like those in liver, are inhibited by various metals. Inhibition of mixed-function oxidases by metals in vitro is apparently not related to changes in cytochrome P-450 levels or substrate binding to cytochrome P-450. In addition, the actions of Cd, Zn, and Pb in each tissue are highly dependent on the substrates employed.