Inhibition of release of lysosomal enzymes in young rat brain by lead acetate

Abstract

Effects of lead acetate on the release of acid phosphatase and β- N-acetylglucosaminidase from cerebral lysosomes obtained from weanling rats were examined. In in vitro experiments, lead ions hardly affected the crude enzyme activities solubilized with Triton X-100. On the other hand, the releases of acid phosphatase and β- N-acetylglucosaminidase were significantly inhibited by the addition of penicillamine or ethyleneglycol-bis(β-aminoethylether)- N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid. The subcutaneous administration of lead acetate (25 mg Pb/kg body weight/day) for 4 days elevated lead contents in the brain, liver, and blood of weanling rats and reduced drastically δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activities in the blood and liver. The release of β- N-acetylglucosaminidase from lysosomes obtained from the brain of weanling rats treated with lead was also significantly inhibited.