[Protection effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine on lead-exposed rats during development and its mechanism of long-term potentiation].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) on blood lead concentration and oxidative stress of tissue in prenatal and postnatal lead-exposed rats, and evaluate the potential reparation exerted by SAM on paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and long-term potentiation (LTP) in lead-exposed rat.


METHODS
Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, lead-exposed and lead-exposed with SAM treatment groups. Lead-exposed rats drank 1.5 g/L lead acetate solution through pregnancy until weaning and then the pups received 20 mg/kg SAM or saline daily intraperitoneally depending on their group. Control group rats drank tap water throughout the experiment. At the postnatal 44-60 days, all the pup rats were given an extracellular recording measured in dentate gyrus (DG) area of hippocampus. The blood lead concentration and oxidative stress in liver, brain and hippocampus were also detected.


RESULTS
The blood lead concentration in lead-exposed group was higher (159. 3 +/- 10. 9 microg/L) in comparing with those of control group (27.5 +/-3.8 microg/L) and lead +SAM group (33.1 +/-9.5 microg/L) (F=213.5, P<0.01). A significant recovery of liver, brain glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level was clearly produced in lead-exposed rats after SAM treatment (P <0.05). Chronic lead exposure during development impaired LTP measured on field excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) [(112 +/-2.1)%] compared with control rats [(131+/-4.5)%] and the impaired LTP could be significantly increased by SAM treatment [(120 +/- 2.6)%] (F = 26. 1, P <0. 05).


CONCLUSIONS
SAM might be beneficial for treatment of lead intoxication, especially in the rescue of learning and memory impairment induced by lead and should deserve more detailed research.
Cao
Xiu-jing
XJ
Department of Child and Maternal Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
Wang
Ming
M
Chen
Ju-tao
JT
Ruan
Di-yun
DY
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007854:Lead; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine; D005978:Glutathione