title: Toxic effects of perinatal lead exposure on the brain of rats: involvement of oxidative stress and the beneficial role of antioxidants.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes occur in the brain of lead-exposed rats (300mgPb/L in drinking water) and to investigate the potential benefit of the administration of some natural antioxidants (Zn 20mg/L+vitamins A 50.000U/L, C 2g/L, E 500mg/L and B6 500mg/L) during pregnancy and lactation. Lead exposure caused a significant increase in brain TBARS (23%) vs. control, whereas co-administration of antioxidants+lead was effective in reducing TBARS levels. The catalase activity in brain samples of the lead group was enhanced 99% vs. control, but no changes were found in the remainder of the groups. No statistically significant effect of lead and/or antioxidants in brain SOD activity was noted. Acid phosphatase activity was enhanced in both lead groups but no changes were found in alkaline phosphatase activity. Finally, a statistically significant decrease (-35%) of acetylcholinesterase activity was noted in the lead+antioxidants group. This study provides evidence of the beneficial role of antioxidants in early status of brain development in rats against lead exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology II, Biology College, Complutense University of Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais, n(o) 2, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain. mantonio@bio.ucm.es
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Antonio-García
authors.forename: Elvira Luján
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Massó-Gonzalez
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020263:Lead Poisoning, Nervous System / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000494:pharmacology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D015032:Zinc; D001205:Ascorbic Acid