Zinc and copper in tissues of rats with blood hypertension induced by long-term lead exposure.
Male Sprague-Dawley rats received for 14 months 0, 15, 30 and 60 micrograms/ml of lead in drinking water. Both blood pressure and tissue lead were augmented with a dose-response effect, while cardiac inotropism was increased only in the rats treated with 60 ppm of lead. In the exposed animals, zinc and copper were unchanged in kidneys and testicles and augmented in the brain, while copper, but not zinc, was reduced in the heart. These data suggest a possible relation between the modifications of copper and zinc metabolism and the effects of lead on cardiovascular homeostasis.
Boscolo
P
P
Center of Occupational Safety and Ergophthalmology, University of Chieti, Italy.
Carmignani
M
M
Carelli
G
G
Finelli
V N
VN
Giuliano
G
G
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis*
D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc