Preventive effects of nickel on cadmium hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

The effect of nickel on cadmium nephro-toxicity and hepato-toxicity in rats was investigated. The administration of nickel (6 mg per kg, i.p., three days) or cadmium (6 mg per kg, i.m., once) significantly enhanced the urinary excretion of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), amino acids, and proteins. In addition, it increased the activity of serum ALP, GOT, and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT). These biochemical alterations in urine and serum were used as a measure of kidney and liver damage. Cadmium-induced enzymuria, proteinuria, amino aciduria and increase in the activity of serum enzymes were significantly less marked in animals pretreated with nickel than in controls. However, the accumulation of cadmium in kidneys and liver and its urinary excretion were unaffected by nickel pretreatment. The results suggest protection by nickel against cadmium nephro- and hepato-toxicity.