The effect of cadmium on iron and copper metabolism in rats

Abstract

The present research focused on the distribution cadmium as a toxic metal in rats body as a biological model and its interaction with iron that causes anemia by impairment of heme synthesis and increased rate of red blood cell destruction. Moreover cadmium affects on copper metabolism and in connection with that the activity of ceruloplasmin is lower than usually. therfore some hematological indices such as hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in red blood cells and ceruloplasmin were determined. In orther to obviation of iron deficiency anemia that caused by cadmium administration, we used the combination therapy with deferasirox and deferiprone (Fig. 1). After administration of chelating agents, cadmium levels considerably decreased, the abnormal symptoms also reduced and the iron and copper levels increased (returned to normal levels).