title: Lead exposure changes gastric motility in rats: role of nitric oxide (NO).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abdominal colic, constipation and delay in gastric emptying are symptoms of lead poisoning, but there is scant information about the effect of lead on gastric motility. In the present study, we investigated the effect of lead acetate on gastric motility in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Animals were divided into nine groups (n=8); four groups were exposed to lead acetate solution (1%) for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (Pb1, Pb2, Pb3, and Pb4 groups, respectively). Sodium acetate solution was given to another four groups for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (Na1, Na2, Na3, and Na4 groups, respectively) and the control group had free access to tap water. Gastric motility was measured in the basal and acetylcholine (Ach)-stimulated states using a physiograph instrument. Nitric oxide metabolite of gastric tissue was determined by Griess micro-assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between basal and Ach-stimulated gastric motility in Pb1, Pb2, Na1, and Na2 groups. However, it was significantly greater in Pb3 and Pb4 groups when compared with Na3 and Na4 groups in both basal and Ach-stimulated states (P<0.05). In addition, nitric oxide metabolite of gastric tissue was more in all Pb groups in comparison with their Na counterparts (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that lead exposure could affect gastric motility via the nitric oxide pathway.
authors: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Vahedian
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Nabavizadeh
authors: Jalal
authors: J
authors: Vahedian
authors: Mansoor
authors: M
authors: Keshavarz
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Nahrevanian
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Mirershadi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019346:Sodium Acetate / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D007854:Lead; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019346:Sodium Acetate; C008261:lead acetate