Natural antioxidants protect against lead-induced damage during pregnancy and lactation in rat's pups.
The aim of this study was to add further evidence to the biochemical changes produced in lead-exposed pups and to investigate the potential role of natural antioxidants against the lead-induced damage. Pregnant Wistar rats received treatments with drinking water, divided into four groups, as follows: (1) distilled water; (2) lead (300mg/L); (3) lead+Zn (20mg/L)+vitamins A (50,000U/L), C (2g/L), E (500mg/L) and B(6) (500mg/L); and (4) vitamins+Zn solution. We found a significant decrease in haemoglobin and haematocrit values as well and an increase in haemolysis among lead-exposed pups. Vitamins and zinc supplementation were effective in restoring delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, inhibited by lead in erythrocytes, but did not reach control values. Lead exposure increased the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and catalase activity in kidneys and liver that were reduced by the co-administration of vitamins and zinc. Our findings suggest that administration of antioxidants during gestation and lactation could prevent some of the negative effects of lead.
Department of Animal Physiology II, Biology College, Complutense University of Madrid, C/ José Antonio Novais, 2 Ciudad Universitaria 28040, Madrid, Spain. mantonio@bio.ucm.es
Elvira Luján
EL
Massó-González
María Teresa
MT
Antonio-García
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; 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*
D000975:Antioxidants; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014801:Vitamin A; D007854:Lead; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase