[Effect of lead and selenium on learning and memory ability in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of lead and (or) selenium on learning and memory ability in rats.


METHODS
SPF Wistar rats, after weaning, were divided into six groups, control group, Pb group (respectively Pb exposed), Se group (respectively Se added), Pb-Se group (added Se after Pb exposure), Se-Pb group (added Se before Pb exposure) and Pb + Se group (Pb and Se exposed simultaneously). After intervention for six weeks in rats, the spatial learning and memory of each group rats were measured by Morris water maze assay.


RESULTS
Rats in Pb group had significantly longer latency, less site crossings, less percentage of time and distance spent in the target quadrant, and bigger first bearing compared with control group (P < 0.05). Rats in Pb and Se joint exposure groups had significantly shorter latency, more site crossings, less percentage of time and distance spent in the target quadrant, and smaller first bearing compared with Pb group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the indexes of spatial learning and memory ability between the groups of lead and selenium joint exposure groups (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Lead damaged the ability of learning and memory in rats and organic selenium had protective effects on Pb-induced spatial learning and memory deficits in rats.
Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Xiaojie
X
Han
Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Xiaoxia
X
Hu
Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Qing
Q
Wei
Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Yilin
Y
Chen
Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
De'e
D
Yu
Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Qiansheng
Q
Hu
D000818:Animals; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007854:Lead; D012643:Selenium