Chronic prenatal and postnatal Pb2+ exposure increases [3H]MK801 binding sites in adult rat forebrain.
We have measured the binding of [3H]MK801 to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-ion channel in membrane preparations from adult rat forebrain exposed to lead (Pb2+) during gestation, lactation, and postweaning. Our results indicate a 30.9% increase in the number of [3H]MK801 binding sites in Pb2+ exposed animals relative to controls. No significant changes in the affinity constant were observed. The level of blood Pb2+ for which such changes were measured was 13.9 +/- 2.8 micrograms/dl. These results indicate that alterations in the NMDA receptor-ion channel complex are present at blood Pb2+ levels which are environmentally relevant and suggest that chronic Pb2+ exposure during development can influence the NMDA receptor complex in the adult rat brain.
Guilarte
T R
TR
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Miceli
R C
RC
Altmann
L
L
Weinsberg
F
F
Winneke
G
G
Wiegand
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000187:drug effects; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects*
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D007854:Lead; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate