Cadmium-induced alterations in ocular trace elements

Abstract

The present report demonstrates, for the first time, that feeding rats 50 ppm cadmium for just 7 wk results in detectable levels of cadmium in the eye of rats. Furthermore, these ocular cadmium concentrations affect significant alterations in the levels of the essential trace elements selenium, calcium, iron, and copper in the eye. Rats were fed a low-selenium (less than 0.02 ppm selenium), high-copper basal diet (50 ppm copper) supplemented with 0, 0.1, and 0.5 ppm selenium. The animals were either untreated or treated with 50 ppm cadmium admixed with their feed. Cadmium treatment resulted in significant reductions (up to 50%) in ocular selenium. Furthermore, rats fed the basal diet and given 100 ppm cadmium via their feed for 6 wk exhibited a 69% reduction in the activity of the selenoenzyme, glutathione peroxidase, in the eye. Cadmium treatment also resulted in reductions of up to 50% in ocular calcium, irrespective of dietary selenium supplementation. Iron levels were increased by 30% in rats fed the low-selenium diet and decreased by as much as 40% in rats fed the selenium-supplemented diets, compared to animals fed identical levels of selenium without cadmium. Ocular copper levels were significantly increased only in rats fed the low-selenium diet and treated with cadmium. Ocular zinc levels were not significantly affected by dietary cadmium or selenium.

Lead Accumulation as Possible Risk Factor for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

“…Heavy metals have the capacity to replace previously bound metals and change the ocular metal concentrations [14,15]. Erie et al reported that lead accumulated in the retinal pigment epithelium, choroid, ciliary body, and the retina of humans at concentrations greater than found in the blood [16].…”

“…IOP measurements were performed seven times (at 6,9,12,15,18,21,24 o'clock as 24-h IOP measurements) in POAG patients. Patients whose highest IOP was below 14 mm Hg were enrolled in the low-IOP group and patients whose highest IOP was above 15 mm Hg were enrolled in the high-IOP group.…”

Ionomic Variation Among Tissues in Fallow Deer (Dama dama) by Sex and Age

“…An increase of Cd in eyes with age has been found in human retina as result of smoking, increasing risk of macular degeneration [ 46 ]. Jamall & Roque [ 47 ] found that a daily ingestion of 50 ppm Cd results in detectable accumulation after seven weeks in the eye of rats, implying that Cd in the diet can result in Cd accumulation in the eyes.…”

Influence of Trace Elements on Neurodegenerative Diseases of The Eye—The Glaucoma Model

“…Heavy metals have the capacity to replace previously bound metals and change the concentrations of other metals in patients’ tissues, including ocular tissues [ 125 ]. Therefore, in several publications appearing in ophthalmic literature, the influence of heavy metals on the incidence and morbidity of glaucoma was examined.…”