Comparison of effects of vitamin C and selenium on renal and hepatic superoxide dismutase activities in cadmium intoxicated rats

Male Wistar rats on a standard or vitamin C or selenium supplemented diet received orally a solution of cadmium chloride at a dose corresponding to 10 mg of cadmium/kg of diet. Rats were killed within 28 days of cadmium administration. Results showed that the cadmium intoxication decreased renal and hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity on day 7 and increased on days 14, 21 and 28. Rats fed the selenium or vitamin C supplemented diet exhibited time- and organ-dependent alterations in SOD activity. In several time-points results varied from those found in intact rats and those treated with cadmium.