Induction of hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase by cadmium in rats.

The administration of cadmium (1.25 mg as Cd2+/kg, ip.) to male rats resulted in a significant increase of hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase activity. The maximum increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity to about 10-fold of the controls was seen at 4 hr after the administration of cadmium, and the increased enzyme activity was returned to control levels by 12 hr. Cadmium produced somewhat dose-dependently the increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity. The increase of ornithine decarboxylase seen on the administration of cadmium was cancelled by pretreatment of rats with cycloheximide. The treatment of female rats with cadmium also caused the increase of hepatic ornithine decarboxylase activity, but not renal enzyme activity.