Preventive and therapeutic role of vitamin E in chronic plumbism.
The ability of vitamin E to prevent or treat experimental lead intoxication was investigated in rats. Lead ingestion (10 mg/kg, lead as lead acetate, orally for 6 weeks) significantly inhibited the activity of blood delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), reduced the brain dopamine (DA) contents, enhanced the blood zinc protoporphyrin, and enhanced the urinary excretion of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Lead exposure also elevated brain norepinephrine, homovanillic acid, and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) levels and concentration of lead in blood and tissue. Simultaneous supplementation of vitamin E along with lead significantly reduced the inhibition of blood ALAD activity, brain DA and 5-HIAA levels, and elevation of urinary ALA excretion. Blood and liver lead concentrations were also significantly reduced by simultaneous supplementation with vitamin E. Postlead exposure treatment with vitamin E was ineffective in reducing the lead-induced effects, except that the inhibition of blood ALAD activity was slightly reduced. The present results suggest that vitamin E given simultaneously with lead is effective in reducing the severity of lead intoxication.
Dhawan
M
M
Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, India.
Flora
S J
SJ
Tandon
S K
SK
D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000652:urine; D000818:Animals; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase / Q000097:blood; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D014018:Tissue Distribution / Q000187:drug effects; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D014810:Vitamin E; C017803:zinc protoporphyrin; D007854:Lead; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase