The impact of chicory (Cichoriumintybus L.) on hemodynamic functions and oxidative stress in cardiac toxicity induced by lead oxide nanoparticles in male rats.

BACKGROUND: A common environmental pollutant, lead can induce toxicity in several organ systems. A range of industrial and/or household materials and products contain lead, and food/liquid ingestion and inhalation are the mechanisms through which lead is introduced into the human body. OBJECTIVE: Since knowledge about the cardiac toxicity of acute lead nanoparticles is limited, this work sought to shed more light on the issue by investigating the therapeutic effects of chicory extract based on rat models to elevate cardiac functions and oxidative stress. METHODS: Four research groups were used, each consisting of ten albino rats of male sex and adult age. The groups were: control group, chicory group, lead oxide nanoparticle group, and lead oxide nanoparticle + chicory group. RESULTS: Compared to the control and chicory groups, the lead oxide nanoparticle group displayed a notable increase in heart functions and oxidative stress markers as well as alterations in cardiac histological structure. On the other hand, cardiac function modifications were counteracted through four-week administration of lead oxide nanoparticles alongside chicory. CONCLUSION: Heart damage caused by lead oxide nanoparticles may be attenuated by chicory through scavenging of free radicals.

Ginseng Gintonin Attenuates Lead-Induced Rat Cerebellar Impairments during Gestation and Lactation.

Gintonin, a novel ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid receptor ligand, improves brain functions and protects neurons from oxidative stress. However, little is known about the effects of gintonin against Pb-induced brain maldevelopment. We investigated the protective effects of gintonin on the developing cerebellum after prenatal and postnatal Pb exposure. Pregnant female rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, Pb (0.3% Pb acetate in drinking water), and Pb plus gintonin (100 mg/kg, p.o.). Blood Pb was increased in dams and pups; gintonin treatment significantly decreased blood Pb. On postnatal day 21, the number of degenerating Purkinje cells was remarkably increased while the number of calbindin-, GAD67-, NMDAR1-, LPAR1-immunoreactive intact Purkinje cells, and GABA transporter 1-immunoreactive pinceau structures were significantly reduced in Pb-exposed offspring. Following Pb exposure, gintonin ameliorated cerebellar degenerative effects, restored increased pro-apoptotic Bax, and decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl2. Gintonin treatment attenuated Pb-induced accumulation of oxidative stress (Nrf2 and Mn-SOD) and inflammation (IL-1ß and TNFα,), restoring the decreased cerebellar BDNF and Sirt1. Gintonin ameliorated Pb-induced impairment of myelin basic protein-immunoreactive myelinated fibers of Purkinje cells. Gintonin attenuated Pb-induced locomotor dysfunctions. The present study revealed the ameliorating effects of gintonin against Pb, suggesting the potential use of gintonin as a preventive agent in Pb poisoning during pregnancy and lactation.

The protective effect of Costus afer Ker Gawl aqueous leaf extract on lead-induced reproductive changes in male albino Wistar rats.

INTRODUCTION: Lead is a multiple organ toxicant and an oxidative-stress inducer. The effect of Costus afer on metal- induced male reprotoxicity has not been previously carried out, hence this study. The present study investigates the protective effect of Costus afer aqueous leave extract on lead- induced reproductive damages in male albino Wistar rats. METHODS: Adult male albino Wistar rats were weighed and separated into five groups of five rats each. Groups 1 & 2 served as normal and toxic controls receiving deionized and leaded (CH3COO)2Pb.3H2O and water respectively. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were given 750, 1500 and 2250mg/kg of Costus afer orally, respectively while receiving Pb2+ water ad libitum for 28 days. RESULTS: The reproductive and antioxidant parameters obtained from the result served as scientific evidence in the study. The result showed non-significant changes in the absolute and relative weights of epididymis and testes in the Pb Group versus the control. Significant increases were recorded in the sperm analysis, blood lead (7.9±1.02; 1.1±0.01) level (BLL), luteinizing hormone (LH) (8.5±1.4:5.5±0.4), and a decrease in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (4.5±2.6:6.5±1.65), with non-significant changes in testosterone (TET) (1.3±0.00:1.6±0.2) in the Pb group compared to the control. CONCLUSION: The treatment with Costus afer exhibited dose-dependent significant changes in testicular oxidative stress, hormonal, sperm analysis and histopathological changes induced by lead. Aqueous leaves extract of Costus afer may be protective against lead induced testicular damage.

Effect of Zingiber officinale on some biochemical parameters and cytogenic analysis in lead-induced toxicity in experimental rats.

Exposure to toxic elements is greatly unavoidable in our daily activities due to several routes of coming in contact with these elements. Thus lead (Pb), is one of the major causes of health hazard in human. In this study, evaluation of Zingiber officinale as mitigating measure against Pb induced biochemical and cytogenic toxicity in albino rats was investigated. Experimental rats were grouped into five with five animals per group, group I serves as control and groups 2-5 were induced intraperitoneal with lead acetate dissolved in distilled water at 3 mg/kg body weight whereas group 3-5 were orally administered with 200 mg/kg vitamin C, 200 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg of Z. officinale, respectively for 7 d. The obtained results show that aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipid peroxidation, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were significantly increased (p < 0.05) and catalase (CAT) were reduced progressively in Pb alone induced rats. Hematological parameters showed a progressive reduction (p < 0.05) in lead acetate alone rats. There were significant changes in micronuclei (MN), chromosomal aberrations (CA) frequency, and oxidative damages in the bone marrow cells from lead acetate alone induced rats, although, mitotic index scores in these cells were reduced gradually (p < 0.05). The altered parameters were significantly reversed toward the levels observed in normal control rats administered with vitamin C and aqueous extract of Z. officinale. Hence, these results suggest that Z. officinale roots might contain therapeutic potential that can ameliorate the hazard effect of lead acetate poison.

CLINICAL SIGNS, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF LEAD INTOXICATION IN AN ELECTRIC EEL ( ELECTROPHORUS ELECTRICUS).

An adult, wild-caught electric eel ( Electrophorus electricus), weighing 18 kg and measuring 2 m in length, presented with bilateral swellings behind the pectoral fins, lethargy, and anorexia for 2 days. Anesthesia was performed with immersion in tricaine methanesulphonate and supplemented with 0.11 mg/kg medetomidine and 2.2 mg/kg ketamine intramuscularly. Endoscopy revealed blood in the oral and gastric cavity. The stomach was grossly enlarged, flaccid, and contained a lead wire which was removed manually. Blood lead values were severely elevated. The fish was treated with 28 mg/kg calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate intramuscularly every 72 hr for 5 doses, which resulted in an improved clinical condition. Because lead values had not decreased to normal values within 4 wk of initial presentation, 35 mg/kg dimercaptosuccinic acid was given orally twice weekly for 3 wk. The electric eel made a full recovery.

Sources, symptoms and characteristics of childhood lead poisoning: experience from a lead specialty clinic in China.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the sources of lead exposure, identified patients' geographic distribution and evaluated the symptoms of children with elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) referred to a pediatric lead specialty clinic in China. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected from 515 consecutive outpatients attending the Pediatric Lead Poisoning Clinic in Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai, China, between 2011 and 2016, referred for BLLs ≥5 µg/dL. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure venous BLLs. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation age of the patients was 4.1 ± 3.2 years. Their BLLs ranged from 5 to 126 µg/dL. The geometric mean and median BLLs were 24 and 26 µg/dL, respectively. Two hundred and twenty-two children (43.1%) were exposed to industrial lead pollution-mainly from Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hunan, Henan and Anhui provinces; whereas, 41.4% (213 cases) were induced by folk medicines used widely throughout China. Other nonindustrial sources of lead exposure included lead-containing tinfoil and tin pots. Household lead paint was a rare source. Most patients exhibited nonspecific symptoms, such as hyperactivity, attention difficulty, aggressiveness, constipation and anorexia. CONCLUSIONS: Industrial pollution and folk medicines are important sources of lead exposure in China. Childhood lead poisoning may be difficult to diagnose clinically as symptoms are nonspecific. Thus, blood lead screening may be necessary to identify children at high risk of exposure. Education to raise the awareness of potential sources of exposure resulting in their elimination would be expected to decrease the incidence of children with elevated BLLs.

Role of geraniol against lead acetate-mediated hepatic damage and their interaction with liver carboxylesterase activity in rats.

In this study, the effect of geraniol (50 mg/kg for 30 d), a natural antioxidant and repellent/antifeedant monoterpene, in a rat model of lead acetate-induced (500 ppm for 30 d) liver damage was evaluated. Hepatic malondialdehyde increased in the lead acetate group. Reduced glutathione unchanged, but glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, as well as carboxylesterase activities decreased in geraniol, lead acetate and geraniol + lead acetate groups. 8-OhDG immunoreactivity, mononuclear cell infiltrations and hepatic lead concentration were lower in the geraniol + lead acetate group than the lead acetate group. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities increased in the Pb acetate group. In conclusion, lead acetate causes oxidative and toxic damage in the liver and this effect can reduce with geraniol treatment. However, we first observed that lead acetate, as well as geraniol, can affect liver carboxylesterase activity.

Protective effect of garlic extract against maternal and foetal cerebellar damage induced by lead administration during pregnancy in rats.

BACKGROUND: In spite of its industrial usefulness and varied daily uses, lead (Pb) pollution is a widespread ecological problem that faces the humans in the 21th century. Pb was found to produces a wide range of toxic effects including neurotoxicity especially to the developing and young offspring. Recently, the utilisation of herbal plants has received a significant attention where there has been rising awareness in their therapeutic use; among these is the garlic. In light of the above, the current study is designed experimentally in female pregnant rats in order to investigate the beneficial role of garlic extract in the protection from the maternal and foetal cerebellar damage produced by administration of different doses of Pb during pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Positively pregnant female rats were divided into five groups; one control group, two Pb-treated groups (exposed to 160 and 320 mg/kg b.w. of Pb, respectively) and two groups treated with both Pb and garlic (exposed to Pb as previous groups together with 250 mg/kg b.w./day of garlic extract). Treatments started from day 1 to day 20 of pregnancy, where the mother rats of different experimental groups were sacrificed to obtain the foetuses. Pb level in the maternal and foetal blood and cerebellum was estimated by spectrophotometry. Specimens of the cerebellum of different mother and foetal groups were processed to histological and immunohistochemical staining for microscopic examination. RESULTS: The results showed that administration of Pb to pregnant rats resulted in a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and foetuses in the form of decrease in maternal weight gain, placental and foetal weights, brain weight and diminished foetal growth parameters, which were prominent in rat's group treated with larger dose of Pb. In Pb-treated rats, Pb level in blood and cerebellum was high when compared with the control group. The histopathological examination of the cerebellum of treated dams and foetuses showed marked alterations mainly in the form of Purkinje cell degeneration and lack of development of foetal cerebellum. Co-treatment of garlic extract along with Pb resulted in a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared with those treated with Pb alone with improvement of the histopathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: This study was useful in evaluating the hazardous effects of uncontrolled use of Pb in general and in assessing the developmental and neurotoxicity of foetuses due to exposure during pregnancy in particular. Co-administration of garlic has beneficial effects in amelioration of Pb-induced neurotoxicity and reversing the histopathological changes of the cerebellum of mother rats and foetuses. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 1-15).

The effect of tannic acid on bone mechanical and geometric properties, bone density, and trabecular histomorphometry as well as the morphology of articular and growth cartilages in rats co-exposed to cadmium and lead is dose dependent.

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are toxic elements that accumulate to the largest extent in bones. Rats were used to investigate whether tannic acid (TA; 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%. 2.0%, or 2.5%) would have a protective effect on the structure and properties of bones in the case of exposure to Cd and Pb (diet: 7 mg Cd/kg and 50 mg Pb/kg) for 6 weeks. The effects of administration of TA in Cd- and Pb-poisoned rats on bone characteristics and the morphology of articular and growth cartilages were determined. All the rats administered Cd and Pb had an enhanced Cd and Pb concentration in blood plasma and bone and reduced bone Ca content irrespective of the TA administration. Cd and Pb alone reduced the mechanical endurance and histomorphometric parameters of trabecular bone and the thickness of the growth plate and articular cartilage. Tannic acid improved cancellous bone parameters in the rat exposed to Cd and Pb. A diet rich in TA improved articular cartilage constituents in heavy metal-poisoned rats. These results suggest that alimentary TA supplementation can counteract in a dose-dependent manner some of the destructive changes evoked by Cd and Pb possibly by reducing the exposure.

EVALUATION OF THE CHELATING EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CORIANDRUM SATIVUM AND ITS FRACTIONS ON WISTAR RATS POISONED WITH LEAD ACETATE.

BACKGROUND: The rate of lead poisoning has decreased in recent years due to increased health control in industries that use this metal. However, it is still a public health problem worldwide. The use of various plants with chelating properties has been a topic of research today. In traditional medicine, it is said that Coriandrum sativum has chelating properties, but there is no scientific evidence to support this fact. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the chelating effect of methanol extract of coriander and its fractions on Wistar rats intoxicated with lead. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this research, male Wistar rats were poisoned with 50 mg/kg of lead acetate and treated with 50 mg/kg of methanol extract and its fractions. The extract and its fractions were administered to four treatment groups. Positive and negative controls were established. Hemoglobin, hematocrit and lead concentrations were analyzed; liver was evaluated histologically in control and treatment groups. RESULTS: The methanol extract of coriander presented a LD50 >1000 mg/dL. The group administered with the methanol extract showed significant difference in the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit compared to the negative control group. Lead concentration in treatment groups showed a decrease compared to the positive control. Histological evaluation of tissue showed less damage in groups administered with methanolic extract and its fractions compared to the positive control which presented structural alterations. CONCLUSION: Coriander extracts protect liver and lower lead concentration in rats intoxicated with lead in contrast to the positive control group.

The protective role of folic acid against testicular dysfunction in lead-intoxicated rat model.

There is an increasing concern over male reproductive toxicity caused by lead exposure. Folic acid (FA) is supposed to be a promising therapeutic strategy against lead toxicity. Therefore, the aim of this experimental study was to shed light on the potential protective role of FA on lead-induced testicular dysfunction in rats and its possible underlying mechanistic pathways. Rats (n = 24) were divided into four groups: Control, FA, Lead, and FA+Lead group. After 4 weeks, lead intoxication resulted in a marked reduction in the relative testicular weight and the serum level of testosterone, an impairment in the characters of semen analysis, and an increased content of lead, malondialdehyde and both interleukin-6 and -10 and a decreased antioxidant enzyme levels in the testicular tissue homogenate. Furthermore, marked degenerative histological changes and an increased expression of NF-κB were also noticed in the testicular tissue of Lead group. Supplementation of FA in association with lead considerably alleviated these adverse outcome responses most probably owing to its cytoprotective ability as emerged from combating the oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. We concluded that FA could act as a highly effective fighting approach against lead-associated testicular toxicity.

The protective effects of zinc in lead-induced testicular and epididymal toxicity in Wistar rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of zinc (Zn) in preventing lead (Pb)-induced reproductive toxicity in Wistar rats. The rats were divided into four groups, namely, control group, Pb group, Zn group, and Pb + Zn group. Animals were exposed to Pb (819 mg of Pb/L) or Zn (71 mg of Zn/L) or both through drinking water for 65 days. Rats exposed to Pb showed decreased weights of testes and accessory sex organs. Significant decrease in the testicular daily sperm production, epididymal sperm count, motility, viability, and number of hypoosmotic tail coiled sperm was observed in Pb-exposed rats. Testicular 3ß- and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity levels and circulatory testosterone levels were also decreased significantly in Pb-exposed rats. A significant increase in the lipid peroxidation products with a significant decrease in the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were observed in the testes and epididymis of Pb-exposed rats. Moreover, the testicular architecture showed lumens devoid of sperm in Pb-exposed rats. Supplementation of Zn mitigated Pb-induced oxidative stress and restored the spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in Pb-exposed rats. In conclusion, cotreatment of Zn is effective for recovering suppressed spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, elevated oxidative status, and histological damage in the testis of rats treated with Pb.

Correction: Water Spinach, Ipomoea aquatica (Convolvulaceae), Ameliorates Lead Toxicity by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139831.].

Water Spinach, Ipomoea aquatic (Convolvulaceae), Ameliorates Lead Toxicity by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Ipomoea aquatica (Convolvulaceae), an aquatic edible plant, is traditionally used against heavy metal toxicity in India. The current study intended to explore the protective role of edible (aqueous) extract of I. aquatica (AEIA) against experimentally induced Pb-intoxication. METHODS: The cytoprotective role of AEIA was measured on mouse hepatocytes by cell viability assay followed by Hoechst staining and flow cytometric assay. The effect on ROS production, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, intracellular redox status were measured after incubating the hepatocytes with Pb-acetate (6.8 µM) along with AEIA (400 µg/ml). The effects on the expressions of apoptotic signal proteins were estimated by western blotting. The protective role of AEIA was measured by in vivo assay in mice. Haematological, serum biochemical, tissue redox status, Pb bioaccumulation and histological parameters were evaluated to estimate the protective role of AEIA (100 mg/kg) against Pb-acetate (5 mg/kg) intoxication. RESULTS: Pb-acetate treated hepatocytes showed a gradual reduction of cell viability dose-dependently with an IC50 value of 6.8 µM. Pb-acetate treated hepatocytes exhibited significantly enhanced levels (p < 0.01) of ROS production, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation with concomitant depletion (p < 0.01) of antioxidant enzymes and GSH. However, AEIA treatment could significantly restore the aforementioned parameters in murine hepatocytes near to normalcy. Besides, AEIA significantly reversed (p < 0.05-0.01) the alterations of transcription levels of apoptotic proteins viz. Bcl 2, Bad, Cyt C, Apaf-1, cleaved caspases [caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9], Fas and Bid. In in vivo bioassay, Pb-acetate treatment caused significantly high intracellular Pb burden and oxidative pressure in the kidney, liver, heart, brain and testes in mice. In addition, the haematological and serum biochemical factors were changed significantly in Pb-acetate-treated animals. AEIA treatment restored significantly the evaluated-parameters to the near-normal position. CONCLUSION: The extract may offer the protective effect via counteracting with Pb mediated oxidative stress and/or promoting the elimination of Pb by chelating. The presence of substantial quantities of flavonoids, phenolics and saponins would be responsible for the overall protective effect.

Ameliorative potential of stem bromelain on lead-induced toxicity in Wistar rats.

The present study investigates the protective efficacy of stem bromelain against lead-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. There were six experimental groups; Group I was negative control, Group II was administered only 20 mg/kg of stem bromelain. Group III and V were orally exposed to 30 mg/kg/day and 60 mg/kg/day of lead acetate, respectively. Group IV and Group VI were exposed to both low and high dose of lead acetate, respectively, and treated with 20 mg/kg stem bromelain. The experimental period was 21 days. The end points evaluated were, lead accumulation in kidney, liver and spleen, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, serum malonaldehyde (MDA) cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Co-administration of stem bromelain with lead markedly reduced the lead accumulation in the kidney and spleen. The treatment of stem bromelain also reduced the serum MDA levels in the group exposed to lower dose of lead and serum triglyceride level in the group exposed to higher dose of lead. The lead-induced modulated levels of serum ALT and AST were also alleviated by bromelain treatment. Our key findings suggest a chelating potential of stem bromelain for combating lead toxicity and oxidative stress. Bromelain represents a novel approach to the treatment of metal toxicity and metabolic disorders with a limited therapeutic window.

Hematological and serum biochemical parameters of blood in adolescent rats and histomorphological changes in the jejunal epithelium and liver after chronic exposure to cadmium and lead in the case of supplementation with green tea vs black, red or white tea.

Rats were used to check whether regular consumption of black, red, or white tea would have a protective effect similar to the action of green tea on the intestine and liver in the case of exposure to Cd and Pb within the limits of human environmental exposure to these elements. Rats at the age of 6 weeks were divided into the control and four groups supplemented with green (GT), black (BT), red (RT), or white (WT) tea extracts. Their diet (except the control) was mixed with 7 mg Cd/kg and 50mg Pb/kg. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. The effects of administration of tea in Cd- and Pb-poisoned rats on plasma biochemical parameters and the jejunal epithelium and liver were determined. The highest body mass was found in the GT group. The highest hemoglobin and Fe concentrations were in the control and GT groups. The highest activity of AST was in groups poisoned with Cd and Pb independently on supplementation. The highest ALT activity was in BT and RT groups with lower content of polifenoles. Pb and Cd disturbed the liver leading to necrosis and fatty degenerative changes, and a loss of normal architecture of the hepatocytes. Rats from the GT group had the highest cell proliferation rate in intestinal glands and the largest absorptive surface. Black, red, and white tea exerted a varied impact on the histological structure and innervation of the small intestine wall as well as on the absorptive function of small intestine mucosa in rats poisoned with Pb and Cd than green tea. On the other hand, taking into account the number of apoptotic cells, the effect of the teas was the same. Moreover, it is clear that long term exposure to Cd and Pb contamination causes toxic effect in the liver.

Dysplastic changes in erythroid precursors as a manifestation of lead poisoning: report of a case and review of literature.

Dysplastic changes in erythroid precursors occur not only in patients with hematologic diseases, but also those with other diseases. Here, we report on a patient that presented with dysplastic changes in erythroid precursors due to lead poisoning from the intake of Chinese folk remedies.

Salvia miltiorrhiza injection ameliorates renal damage induced by lead exposure in mice.

Exposure to lead (Pb) can induce kidney injury and our recent studies have found that Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) injection, a traditional Chinese medicine, could protect against the organ injury induced by iron overload. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of SM injection on nephrotoxicity induced by Pb acetate in mice and to elucidate the potential mechanism(s). Healthy male mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, Pb, low-dose Salvia miltiorrhiza (L-SM), and high-dose Salvia miltiorrhiza (H-SM). SM injection dose dependently reduced the Pb accumulation in the kidney, decreased kidney coefficients, and ameliorated renal structure and function from the morphology analysis. Meanwhile, SM administration downregulated serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CR), decreased malondialdehyde (MAD) content, and increased activities of super oxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the kidney homogenate. Moreover, SM injection reduced the level of renal apoptosis by immunohistochemical staining analysis. Our findings implicate the therapeutic potential of SM injection for Pb-induced nephrotoxicity, which were at least partly due to the decrease of Pb accumulation, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and suppression of renal apoptosis. These results provided preliminary experimental support for Danshen as a therapeutic drug for Pb poisoning diseases.

Protective effect of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract against lead toxicity in rat.

CONTEXT: Artichoke, Cynara scolymus L. (Asteraceae), has many natural antioxidants and multiple pharmacological actions. Recent studies have shown that it has antitoxic activity. OBJECTIVE: Lead (Pb) is a dangerous environmental toxicant that induces a broad range of dysfunctions in human. This study evaluated the protective effect of the hydroethanolic extract of artichoke against altered biochemical parameters in rats fed with lead-containing diet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups. The first (control) group received standard diet. The second, third and fourth groups received 500 mg lead/kg diet, 500 mg lead/kg diet plus 300 mg/kg b.w. artichoke extract daily, and 500 mg lead/kg diet plus 1 mg vitamin C/100 g b.w. daily for 6 weeks, respectively. Serum lead, lipoprotein profile, ALT (alanine transaminase), AST (aspartate transaminase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver histopathology assessments were conducted. RESULTS: Serum lead, triglyceride (TG), VLDL, ALT, AST, ALP and MDA levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the artichoke-treated group (35.85, 38.26, 38.38, 21.90, 12.81, 26.86 and 46.91%, respectively) compared to lead-intoxicated rats without treatment. No significant change was observed in serum lead, ALP and ALT between artichoke and vitamin C-treated groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the liver histopathology in rats treated with artichoke showed a mild degree of lymphocyte infiltration that was relatively comparable to the control and vitamin C-treated groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results clearly show that the artichoke extract in lead-poisoned rats has suitable chelating properties for the reduction of blood lead levels.

Nephroprotective effect of calcium channel blockers against toxicity of lead exposure in mice.

Exposure to lead (Pb) can induce kidney damage, which is related to induction of oxidative damage and disturbance of intracellular calcium homeostasis. Pb can readily permeate through dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type calcium channels and accumulate within cells. The objective of this study was to investigate protective effects of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) verapamil and nimodipine on nephrotoxicity induced by Pb acetate in mice. One hundred and twenty male mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, Pb, low-dose verapamil, high-dose verapamil, low-dose nimodipine and high-dose nimodipine (n=20 per group). Pb acetate was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at 40 mg/kg body weight/day for 10 days to establish the Pb toxicity model. While control mice received saline, mice of the treated groups simultaneously received i.p. injections of verapamil or nimodipine daily for 10 days. Both verapamil and nimodipine showed protection against Pb-induced kidney injury, including alleviation of renal pathological damage and decreasing the level of Pb in kidney homogenate and extent of apoptosis in nephrocytes. Moreover, verapamil and nimodipine significantly down-regulated levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in the serum. In addition, verapamil and nimodipine administration decreased malondialdehyde content and increased activities of super oxide dismutase activity and glutathione peroxidase in the kidney homogenate. The findings in the present study implicate the therapeutic potential of CCBs for Pb-induced nephrotoxicity, which were at least partly due to the decrease of Pb uptake and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.