Toxic effects of perinatal lead exposure on the brain of rats: involvement of oxidative stress and the beneficial role of antioxidants.
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.
Antonio-García
Maria Teresa
MT
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
Massó-Gonzalez
Elvira Luján
EL
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
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