title: The effect of adrenomedullin on rats exposed to lead.
abstract: Adrenomedullin (AdM) was originally discovered as a vasorelaxant peptide. The antioxidative properties of AdM have been reported recently. Through its antioxidative effect, adrenomedullin can protect organs from damage induced by stressors. Lead, commonly detected in air, soil, water and food, is a major source of oxidative stress. The effect of AdM in the liver of rats exposed to lead was investigated. Twenty-four female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: a control group (C), adrenomedullin group (AdM), lead (Pb) group and lead + adrenomedullin (Pb + AdM) group. In the Pb-treated groups, the animals were exposed to lead in drinking water containing 250 ppm PbCl2 for 4 weeks. In the AdM-treated group, the animals received an i.p. injection of AdM (3000 ng kg(-1) body weight) in the third week of lead treatment for 1 week. The activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in the liver of rats. Histological changes in the liver were examined by light and electron microscopy as well. The MDA levels were increased significantly in the Pb-treated groups, but in the Pb + AdM group the MDA levels were decreased significantly when compared with the Pb group. AdM reduced hepatic damage in the Pb + AdM group, but the difference in the total histopathological scores between the Pb and Pb + AdM groups was not significant. When the results are taken together, it can be concluded that AdM may have protective or compensating effects in lead toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Arts and Science Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, 44280, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Ilker
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Dogru
authors.forename: Arzu Kocagun
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Dogru
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gul
authors.forename: Mukaddes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esrefoglu
authors.forename: Muhittin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yurekli
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erdogan
authors.forename: Burhan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ates
mesh_terms: D053607:Adrenomedullin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007854:Lead; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D053607:Adrenomedullin; D007854:Lead; C029891:lead chloride; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase