摘要：The following results were obtained from the experiments by use of mice, to which calcium was given in advance, in order to clarify the role of metallothionein (MT) in acute toxicity by cadmium. 1) With an increase in the amount of Calcium (Ca) administered, the rate of death by the administration of Cd decreased. Between MT concentration in the liver induced by Ca and the rate of death induced by Cd, a negative correlation was found. 2) By studying the time-course of Cd after its administration, it was found that MT concentration and the binding rate of Cd to MT in the group to which only Cd was given were lower than those in the group to which Ca was administered in advance. However, no significant difference was detected in the Cd concentration in the livers of both groups. 3) MT concentration in the liver after the use of more than 6 mg/kg of Cd was lower than that after the administration of 3 mg/kg of Cd. These results show that the Cd acute toxicity was defended by replacing Cd with zinc (Zn) which was bound to MT in the liver.
