Effect of cadmium on blood glucose level in the rat.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cadmium (Cd) or Cd and selenium (Se) administered simultaneously on plasma glucose level. Male Sprague-Dawley derived rats (180-300 g), maintained under controlled environmental conditions, were segregated into fed and 24-h fasted groups prior to experimentation. Each group consisted of 3 subgroups which received one of the following treatments intraperitoneally: sodium acetate (NaAc) (1.23 mg/kg), Cd (0.84 mg/kg) or a combination of Se and Cd (1.6 and 0.84 mg/kg respectively). Plasma glucose was measured before and 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 or 360 min after treatment. Results indicate that both Cd and concurrent administration of Se and Cd induce hyperglycemia in fed and fasted rats.