Lipid peroxidation and ultrastructural modifications in brain after perinatal exposure to lead and/or cadmium in rat pups.
OBJECTIVE
To assess lipid peroxidation and ultrastructural modifications in rat brains following perinatal exposure to lead (Pb) and/or cadmium (Cd).


METHODS
Female rats were divided into four groups: control group, Pb (300 mg/L) group, Cd group (10 mg/L) and Pb+Cd (300 mg/L, 10 mg/L) group. The compounds were delivered in the drinking water throughout pregnancy and lactation.


RESULTS
The levels of compounds in blood and brain of the Pb+Cd group were similar to those of other groups, but the effects of Pb+Cd on pups' body and brain weights were higher than on other compounds. Electron microscopy revealed that Pb and Cd had effects on mitochondrial swelling, disruption and cristae loss, Nissl body dissolution, degenerated organelles and vacuoles, cytomembrane disappearance, and nuclear chromoplasm concentration. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was decreased, whereas the activity of maleic dialdehyde (MDA) was increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Perinatal exposure to low doses of Pb and Cd can produce alterations in lipid peroxidation and ultrastructural modifications in rat brains, and exposure to both metals can result in greater damages.
Zhang
Yu-Mei
YM
College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China.
Liu
Xue-Zhong
XZ
Lu
Hao
H
Mei
Li
L
Liu
Zong-Ping
ZP
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D014867:Water
D000975:Antioxidants; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D014867:Water; D007854:Lead; D008315:Malondialdehyde