Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of lead exposure on liver lipid peroxidative and antioxidant defense systems of protein-undernourished rats

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effect of the liver mitogen, lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)2], on protein-undernutrition-induced increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidants levels was investigated in rats. Animals were divided into four groups: A, B, C, and D of five animals each. Animals in groups C and D were placed on a low-protein diet (5% casein) and animals in groups A and B were maintained on a normal diet (16% casein) for 14 wk and fed ad libitum. Animals in groups B and D were each given a single intravenous injection of Pb(NO3)2 (100 μmol/kg body weight) 72 h before sacrifice. The results confirm that protein undernutrition (PU) induced an increase in lipid peroxidation with concomitant reductions in catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione (GSH) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Lead (Pb) treatment, however, provoked increased lipid peroxidation, CAT activity, and GSH level but resulted in reduced SOD activity in both normal and PU-rats. These results suggest that Pb exacerbates liver lipid peroxidation in PU rats and suggests the involvement of free radicals in the pathogenesis of Pb poisoning. In addition, the results show that Pb affects well-fed and PU rats in similar ways but that the CAT activity of PU rats is more sensitive to the effect of Pb than that of normal rats.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. R. W. Sauerwein, J. A. Mulder, L. Mulder, et al., Inflammatory mediators in children with protein-energy malnutrition, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 65(5), 1534–1539 (1997).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. H. Lenhartz, R. Ndasi, A. Anninos, et al., The clinical manifestation of the kwashiorkor syndrome is related to increased lipid peroxidation, J. Pediatr. 132(5), 879–881 (1998).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. A. Columbano, G. Ledda, P. Sirigu, T. Perra, and P. Pani, Liver cell proliferation by a single dose of lead nitrate, Am. J. Pathol. 110(1), 83–88 (1983).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. A. Columbano, G. Ledda-Columbano, P. Coni, M. Vargiu, G. Faa, and P. Pani, Liver hyperplasia and regression after lead nitrate administration, Toxicol. Pathol. 12(1), 89–94 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. B. Kaczmarek-Wdowiak, R. Andrzejak, A. Skoczynska, and V. Mlynek, The effect of chronic exposure to lead and cadmium on lipid peroxidation in the rat brain, Med. Pr. 55(5), 403–410 (2004).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. H. M. Mousa, A. A. Al-Qarawi, B. H. Ali, H. A. Abdel Rahman, and S. A. Elmougy, Effect of lead exposure on the erythrocytic antioxidant levels in goats, J. Vet. Med A: Physiol. Clin. Med. 49(10), 531–534 (2002).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. E. Sugarawa, K. Nakamura, T. Miyake, A. Fukumura, and Y. Seki, Lipid peroxidation and concentration of glutathione in erythrocytes from workers exposed to lead, Br. J. Ind. Med. 48(4), 239–242 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  8. R. Sandhir and K. D. Gill, Effect of lead on lipid peroxidation in liver of rats, Biol. Trace Element Res. 48(1), 91–97 (1995).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. B. Nehru and S. S. Kanwar, N-Acetylcystine exposure on lead-induced lipid peroxidative system and oxidative defense system in brain regions of rats. Biol. Trace Element Res. 101(3), 257–264 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. J. O. Olowookere, Bioenergetics of Kwashiorkor and Obesity, Triumph Books, Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria, pp. 139–143 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  11. C. E. Bell, L. A. Baldwin, P. T. Kostecki, and E. J. Calabrese, Comparative response of rainbow trout and rat to the liver mitogen, lead, Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety 26, 280–284 (1993).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. G. A. Adenuga, The Ca2+ transporting activity of rat liver microsomes in response to protein undernutrition: implications for liver tumor promotion, Biosci. Rep. 20(3), 93–98 (2000).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. E. Beutler, D. Duron, and B. M. Kelly, Improved method for the determination of blood glutathione, J. Lab. Clin. Med. 61, 882–888 (1963).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. R. F. Del Maestro, W. McDonald, and R. Anderson, Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in experimental and human brain tumours, in Oxyradicals and Their Scavenger Systems, R. Greenwald and G. Cohen, eds., Elsevier, New York, Vol. 2 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  15. K. A. Sinha, Colorimetric assay of catalase, Anal. Biochem. 47, 389–394 (1972).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. O. H. Lowry, H. J. Rosebrough, A. L. Farr, and N. J. Randall, Protein measurement with folin phenol reagent, J. Biol. Chem. 193, 265–275 (1951).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. R. Varshney and R. F. Kale, Effect of calmodulin antagonists on radiation induced lipid peroxidation in microsomes, Int. J. Radiat. Biol. 58, 733–743 (1990).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. N. Aykin-Burns, A. Laegeler, G. Kellogg, and N. Ercal, Oxidative effects of lead in young and adult Fisher 344 rats, Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 44(3), 417–420 (2003).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Z. Ni, S. Hou, C. H. Barton, and N. D. Waziri, Lead exposure raises superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in human endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells, Kidney Int. 66, 2329–2336 (2004).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. P. Pani, F. P. Corongiu, S. Sanna, and L. Congiu, Protection by lead nitrate against carbon tetrachloride hepatoxicity, Drug Metab. Dispos. 3(3), 148–154 (1975).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Remo Campus, Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria

    Bukunola Oluyemisi Adegbesan & Gbenga Adebola Adenuga

Authors
  1. Bukunola Oluyemisi Adegbesan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gbenga Adebola Adenuga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Adegbesan, B.O., Adenuga, G.A. Effect of lead exposure on liver lipid peroxidative and antioxidant defense systems of protein-undernourished rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 116, 219–225 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02685932

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02685932

Index Entries

Search

Navigation