Lead enhances neutrophil apoptosis in albino rats

The present work was conducted to study the effect of lead, after in vivo and in vitro exposure, on neutrophil apoptosis in albino rats. For the in vivo study, adult female albino rats, with body weight range of 150-250 g, were randomized into test and control groups, 20 rats/group. Test groups were treated with lead acetate solution in distilled water by intraperitoneal injection at two dose levels [20 mg/kg body weight or 40 mg/kg body weight for either 4 weeks or 12 weeks for each dose level]. Control groups were treated with distilled water by intraperitoneal injection for either 4 weeks or 12 weeks. For the in vitro study, neutrophil cultures were prepared from 20 rats and each test culture was divided into two subdivisions and incubated for 24 hours with lead acetate at 2 concentrations, 20 or 40 mmol/ml cell culture. Control cultures were prepared from other 20 rats. Apoptosis was assessed morphologically by light microscope using Giemsa stain, fluorescence microscope using acridine orange stain and by assessment of DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis

Lead modulates T lymphocyte functions in albino rats

The present work was performed to study the effects of subchronic and chronic in vivo exposure to lead on some parameters of T lymphocyte functions; namely, interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] production and mitogen blastogenesis in albino rats. Adult female albino rats, with body weight range of 150-250 g, were randomized into test and control groups, 20 rats/group. Test groups were treated with lead acetate solution in distilled water by intraperitoneal injection at two dose levels [20 mg/kg body weight or 40 mg/kg body weight for either 4 weeks or 12 weeks for each dose level]. Control groups were treated with distilled water by intraperitoneal injection for either 4 weeks or 12 weeks. The results showed that lead exerted immunomodulatory effects on the studied immune parameters. It decreased gamma-IFN serum levels and enhanced blastogen transformation of lymphocytes in a dose and time-dependent manner. These results showed that lead differently affects T cell subpopulations. Dysregulation of the immune function may be the end result