Lead acetate

About: Lead acetate is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2636 publications have been published within this topic receiving 69739 citations.

Absence of an effect of lead acetate on sperm morphology, sister chromatid exchanges or on micronuclei formation in rabbits

Abstract: The influence of lead on sperm morphology, sister chromatid exchanges or on micronuclei formation was studied on male rabbits after exposure to doses of 0, 0.25, and 0.50 mg lead acetate/kg body weight subcutaneously injected three times a week during 14 weeks, each on a group of five rabbits. At the end of exposure phase the lead in blood concentrations of the three groups of rabbits were 0.32, 2.57, and 2.97 μmol/l respectively. The results did not show any evidence of treatment related effects on sperm count or on morphologic abnormalities of the sperms, neither on the histopathology of the testis. Statistical analysis of the number of sister chromatid exchanges per metaphase in lymphocytes indicated no differences between the groups. Also no dose dependent effect was observed on the relative number of micronuclei in bone marrow erythrocytes. The different susceptibility to lead in different organ systems of the rabbits was discussed.

L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway and interaction with lead acetate on rat submandibular gland function.

Abstract: : The effects of lead acetate, L-arginine (nitric oxide precursor) and L-NAME (nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor) on rat submandibular secretory function were studied. Pure submandibular saliva was collected intraorally from anaesthetized rats by a micro polyethylene cannula using pilocarpine as secretagogue. Treatment for twenty-eight days with three doses of lead acetate (0.01%, 0.04%, 0.05% w/v) in drinking water caused significant alterations on salivary function. Salivary flow rate was decreased by lead at all doses used. The total protein concentration and amylase activity of saliva were both decreased by lead (0.04% and 0.05%). All doses of lead decreased saliva calcium concentrations. Two weeks' treatment of rats by L-arginine (2.25% w/v) and L-NAME (0.7% w/v) in drinking water also affected the saliva secretory function. L-Arginine caused increase in submandibular gland weight. The saliva flow rate was reduced by L-NAME. The total protein concentration of saliva was increased by L-arginine and decreased by L-NAME. Amylase activity was reduced by L-arginine treatment. Calcium concentration was reduced by L-arginine and increased by L-NAME. Concurrent L-arginine treatment with lead acetate recovered lead-induced reduction of flow rate but L-NAME potentiated it. Concurrent therapy of lead and L-NAME resulted in greater reduction of protein concentration when compared to that of lead. L-Arginine showed a preventive effect on lead-induced decrease of protein concentration. Both L-arginine and L-NAME prevented lead-induced reduction in calcium concentration. It is concluded that nitric oxide plays a role in salivary gland function. Also lead acetate inhibitory effect on submandibular function is somewhat diminished by L-arginine and partially increased by L-NAME. It seems that lead acetate interacts with nitric oxide modulatory role in salivary gland.

Effects of combined exposure to lead and cadmium on pituitary membrane of female rats.

Abstract: The effects of combined exposure to lead and cadmium on pituitary membrane were studied. Adult female rats were treated intraperitoneally with either lead acetate and cadmium acetate alone or in combination at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg daily for 15 days. Both metals accumulated in the pituitary after the exposure. The membrane fluidity was decreased after the heavy-metal treatment. Among the three groups cadmium treatment showed more effect than did other treatments and the combined treatment showed intermediate values. Na+K+ATPase activity was decreased significantly by cadmium and combined treatments. The Schiff's base and inorganic peroxide levels were increased after the metal exposure. In conclusion, exposure to lead and cadmium caused accumulation of the metals in the pituitary and lowered the membrane fluidity, which may affect membrane function and cause alterations in receptor binding and secretory mechanism(s) of pituitary hormones. The combined treatment with metals produced intermediate results.