Evaluation of oxidative stress, liver functions and anemia in lead intoxicated Sprague Dawley rats

ABSTRACT

To evaluate quantitative effect of lead exposure on the oxidative stress, liver functions and hematological profile. Seventy male healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups with thirty five rats in each group. Rats of lead intoxicated group were given weekly intraperitoneal injection of lead acetate 10 mg/kg body weight. After 6 weeks, intracardiac sampling was done and blood was used to determine hemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte count, red cell indices, serum MDA, serum ALT and AST levels. Lead intoxication of rats for 6 weeks revealed that serum MDA levels were increased to 7.8 +/- 0.48 micro mol/l [control = 3.2 +/- 0.27micro mol/l], ALT levels to 76.26 +/- 5.88 IU/l [control = 44.7 +/- 2.96] and AST levels to 258.06 +/- 13.30 IU/l [control = 156.8 +/- 5.04]. Hematological parameters of lead intoxicated group reveals lowered levels of hemoglobin, RBC count, MCHC and MCH while MCV remained statistically unchanged; manifesting hypochromic normocytic anemia. Lead intoxication for 6 weeks induces oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and hypochromic normocytic anemia