It was shown that introduction of cadmium chloride (0.75 mg/kg Cd2+) in combination with gamma irradiation (8.5 Gy) of mice increases the level of metallothioneines (MTs) in the bone marrow and liver of mice. The maximum effect was observed in 24-30 h after the performance. Similarly, irradiation with the doses of 3 to 10 Gy resulted in an increase in the contents of both MT isoforms (MT1 and MT2) in the bone marrow in 24 h. A combined action of gamma irradiation and a heavy metal caused an additive effect on the MT content in the bone marrow, whereas the MT content in liver was 2 times lower than that predicted theoretically. A possible mechanism of the discovered phenomenon was discussed. Supposedly, it is associated with different degrees of the radiation-induced inhibition of the MT1 and MT2 expression by cadmium ions.
Animals Bone Marrow