Effect of lead toxicity on ultrastructure of cerebral cortex of adult rat

ABSTRACT

Lead is a major air polluant in large cities including Cairo. This study was designed to evaluate the lead induced toxic effects on the cerebral cortex of adult rats. Fifteen normal adult rats were used. They were divided into 2 groups 5 rats as a control group and the other 10 rats were subdivided into 2 subgroups. Subgroup A [5 rats] were given lead as 400 ug/g body weight / day by gastric intubation [as high dose] for 2 months. Subgroup B [5 rats] were given lead as 100 microg/g body weight /day [as low dose] for 2 months. In the rats treated with low dose of lead, gliosis was seen as an apparent degenerative feature. Also, infiltration with inflammatory cells was evident. However, in the rats treated with high dose the degenerative changes were more evident. The neurons were distended and few. Nuclear and cytoplasmic lead inclusions were detected. Other features included; indented nuclear membranes, dilated endoplasmic reticulum as well as gliosis