The effect of lead on tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism. A possible mechanism for neurotoxicity.
The use of low levels of lead in vivo in rats has been found to inhibit dihydropteridine reductase and cause an apparent increase in tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis. At higher dose levels inhibition of tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis has been observed. At low levels the disruption of tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism has been found to give an increase in the total level of biopterin derivatives but a movement away from the fully reduced form to the oxidised species in a manner consistent with dihydropteridine reductase inhibition. Lead has been found to inhibit dihydropteridine reductase in man.
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D004093:Dihydropteridine Reductase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D001708:Biopterins; D007854:Lead; D004093:Dihydropteridine Reductase; C003402:sapropterin