Dietary zinc reduces uptake but not metallothionein binding and elimination of cadmium in the springtail, Orchesella cincta

In metal-polluted environments, high concentrations of metals such as zinc, cadmium, copper, and lead are present. Many studies have been conducted to determine uptake and binding of the nonessential, toxic metal cadmium. Effects of essential metals on this uptake and binding remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of zinc on cadmium kinetics and metallothionein induction in the springtail Orchesella cincta. Exposure experiments were conducted with cadmium only, zinc only, and cadmium + zinc. Metallothionein was isolated to determine zinc binding to or induction of this cadmium-binding protein. In animals exposed to cadmium only and to cadmium + zinc, metallothionein was induced. In animals exposed to zinc only, no metallothionein was induced, and zinc did not bind to the metallothionein induced by cadmium. Cadmium uptake rate was significantly lower in animals exposed to cadmium + zinc than in animals exposed to cadmium only. No significant pattern of uptake and elimination of zinc was observed. Zinc concentrations in the animals were not significantly different for the different exposures, demonstrating that this element is regulated by O. cincta. These results suggest a protective role of zinc in the uptake of cadmium but no interference of zinc with the internal cadmium distribution and elimination.