EN
The aim of this study was to examine the influence of oral intoxication with cadmium and ethanol separately or together on zinc concentrations in liver and kidney of rats. Cadmium was administered at a concentration of 50 mg Cd/dm3 in drinking water for 8 weeks. Ethanol was given in a dose of 5 g/kg of body weight (as a 25% solution) every 12 h for the last 108 h of the experiment. The conducted study has shown that intoxication with cadmium and ethanol alone as well as in combination leads to an increase in zinc concentrations in the liver and kidney. The elevation of zinc levels is highest when the rats are co-exposed to cadmium and ethanol. The deposition of zinc in the liver and kidney of cadmium intoxicated rats is associated with cadmium accumulation and induction of metallothionein synthesis in these organs. Ethanol is also able to induce metallothionein synthesis and an elevation of zinc concentrations in the liver and kidney. As a result, in conditions of co-exposure these effects sum up.