Metabolic deficit in rats after low level lead exposure

ABSTRACT

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