title: Chronic prenatal and postnatal Pb2+ exposure increases [3H]MK801 binding sites in adult rat forebrain.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Guilarte
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Altmann
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Weinsberg
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Winneke
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wiegand
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D007854:Lead; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate