Lead Induced Hepato-renal Damage in Male Albino Rats and Effects of Activated Charcoal.

Samuel J Offor,Orish E Orisakwe,Herbert O C Mbagwu

doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00107

Samuel J Offor, Orish E Orisakwe + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00107

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Abstract

Lead is a multi-organ toxicant implicated in various cancers, diseases of the hepatic, renal, and reproductive systems etc. In search of cheap and readily available antidote this study has investigated the role of activated charcoal in chronic lead exposure in albino rats. Eighteen mature male albino rats were used, divided into three groups of six rats per group. Group 1 (control rats) received deionised water (10 ml/kg), group 2 was given lead acetate solution 60 mg/kg and group 3 rats were given lead acetate (60 mg/kg) followed by Activated charcoal, AC (1000 mg/kg) by oral gavage daily for 28 days. Rats in group 2 showed significant increases in serum Aspartate aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, Alanine aminotransferase, urea, bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, Low Density Lipoprotein, Very Low Density Lipoproteins, Total White Blood Cell Counts, Malondialdehyde, Interleukin-6, and decreases in Packed Cell Volume, hemoglobin concentration, Red blood cell count, total proteins, albumins, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and total glutathione. Co-administration of AC significantly decreased these biomarkers with the exception of the sperm parameters. Histopathology of liver and kidney also confirmed the protective effective of AC against lead induced hepato-renal damage. AC may be beneficial in chronic lead induced liver and kidney damage.

Highlights

Lead constitute an integral source of poisoning to the ecosystem
Treatment of rats with lead acetate (Group 2) caused significant (p < 0.05) decreased in Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Hb concentration and Red blood cell (RBC) count when compared with normal control
Treatment of rats with lead acetate caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in the following liver enzymes when compared with the normal control group: AST, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and ALT

Summary

Introduction

Lead constitute an integral source of poisoning to the ecosystem. It primarily affects the central nervous system, hematopoietic, hepatic and renal system, producing serious disorders (Kalia and Flora, 2005). Lead exposure causes anemia, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs (WHO, 2016). Lead has been reported of causing impairment of the quality of semen in the male reproductive system (Eibensteiner et al, 2005; Telisman et al, 2007). There is no known safe blood lead concentration. Even blood lead concentration as low as 5 μg/dL, once thought to be a safe level, may result in decreased intelligence in children, behavioral difficulties and learning problems (WHO, 2016)

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