Abstract

Cadmium nitrate (CdN) and cadmium fluoride (CdF) have been recently used for battery and electronics device in industrial fields. In previous study, we investigated the dose-effect relationships of acute toxicities of these substances from the standpoint of occupational health. From these results, it was strongly suggested that CdF have more hepatotoxicity than CdN, even if the contained cadmium was the same dose. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the differences by biochemical and pathohistological comparison. Rats were received a single intravenous injection of saline, CdN (2.1, 4.2, 6.3 mg/kg), or CdF (1.34, 2.67, or 4.01 mg/kg). Both group contained Cadmium 1, 2, 3 mg/kg, respectively. Serum hepatic enzymes and liver samples stained H&E were examined 5 hours later. There were dose-dependent degenerative changes of hepatocytes such as necrosis, vascular degeneration, fatty droplet, inflammatory neutrophil infiltration in sinusoids. The chaneges of sinusoids caused prior to the other findings. It was suggested that sinusoid change be involved the early stage of hepatotoxic mechanism, because endothelial cell injury has been considered an essential component in the initial phase of acute Cd toxicity. They were accompanied by increase in the activities of ASL, ALT, m-AST and LDH. Biochemical evidence paralleled those morphorogical changes. Both findings confirmed the more severe damages in CdF group compared with CdN group that contained the same dose of Cd.