Abstract
Childhood lead poisoning is usually by gastrointestinal absorption. Calcium and iron ingestion have been shown to increase tissue lead levels and signs of lead intoxication. Lead balance studies were performed on four mature dogs (18 months old) and three 8 week old puppies while on a basal diet free of electrolytes except NaCl, KCl and PbCO3 (0.1 mg Pb/kg/day). Fifteen day control periods were alternated with 15 day periods in which CaCO3 or MgCO3 was added to the diet. Other dogs fed Na2CO3 showed no change from controls in lead absorption. The control absorption for the mature dogs was 31.6 ± 6.4 % (m ± S.D.) and for the puppies 30.1 ± 8.2 % of the ingested lead. This difference was not significant. The percent absorption during the control periods of both groups combined was 30.9 ± 7.2 % which decreased to 27.1 ± 6.4 % (N.S.) when CaCO3 was added to the diet and to 10.0 ± 3.4% (p < .01) when MgCO3 was added. We conclude that in this experimental situation magnesium ingestion decreases the intestinal absorption of lead, and that age is not a significant factor.
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