RESUMO
Male albino rats were injected intraperitonealy with subclinical doses of lead acetate for 50 days to determine any effect on their rate of metabolism. The parameters studied were: 1] The rate of oxygen consumption [Q0[2]] and glucose utilization by cortical brain tissues, liver and kidney slices. b] Liver and kidney function tests viz, SGOT, SGPT and serum creatinine [c] Histopathological examination of the 3 organs to detect any associated damage. The results showed that intraperitoneal injection of rats by the small dose [1 mg] of lead acetate daily for 50 days did not affect significantly all the parameters studied, while marked reduction in Qo[2] and glucose utilization of cortical brain tissues and renal cortical slices and marked increase in serum creatinine, SGOT and SGPT were obtained following injection of the high dose [2 mg daily]. Histopathological examination of the liver, kidney and brain revealed non-specific degeneration which were more apparent on using the higher dose