Toxicological and pharmacological effects of gadolinium and samarium chlorides

A study has been made of the toxicology and pharmacology of gadolinium and samarium chlorides. The symptoms of acute toxicity following intraperitoneal injection are described. The chronic oral ingestion of both chemicals for 12 weeks produced no effects on growth or the blood picture, and only the male rats receiving gadolinium chloride showed liver damage. The pharmacological responses to both chemicals were mainly depressant on all systems studied, and death was associated with cardiovascular collapse coupled with respiratory paralysis. The greatest damage seen was on abraded skin, where non-healing ulcers were produced by both chemicals, whereas irritation of intact skin and ocular tissues was only transient in nature.

The influence of multiple trace elements on blood pressure in the rat

The effect of varying the dietary intake of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cd and Pb on blood pressure in 16 groups of rats (10 rats each group) weighing 200 g initially was studied. The animals received Na, K, Ca, and Mg in amounts calculated to be 20% above or 20% below the normal intake of these elements. Lead was given as PbCl2 (300 mg/l) in the drinking water and Cd was given in the drinking water in a concentration of 5 mg Cd/l. The animals were on the diets for 16 weeks. The diets were sufficient for growth and maintenance as indicated by weight increases of 35-45% during the 16-week period. Eight Cd-ingesting groups exhibited increases in blood pressure of from 2 to 12%. The blood pressure of 8 groups of rats which received high levels of Ca and Mg but no Cd exhibited decreases in blood pressure of from 4 to 11%. The other elements modified these responses. The level to which blood pressure would rise or fall could not be predicted on the presence or absence of one mineral alone. These data support the concept that alterations in dietary mineral intake affect the blood pressure.