Effect of Long-term Exposure to Low or Moderate Lead Concentrations on Growth, Lipid Profile and Liver Function in Albino Rats

Effect of long-term exposure to low or moderate lead acetate (PbAc) on growth, serum lipid profile and some biochemical parameters was investigated. Male albino rats were divided into five groups and given 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.3% PbAc in drinking water for 11 months. There was a significant decrease in body weight in rats given 0.1 % PbAc at the third month of lead treatment (p<0.01) compared to the control group, while the body weight gain was significantly increased at the end of experiment in animals exposed to 0.05 % PbAc (p<0.05). Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride remain unchanged in all lead exposed groups compared to the control group. Similarly, no significant alteration was observed in serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase activities and glycemia in all lead treated groups. In conclusion, the long-term exposure to low lead concentration may conduct to high weight gain and obesity risk. However, no evident for disturbance of serum lipid profile or biochemical liver parameters was observed after long-term lead exposure. Therefore, long term-exposure to low or moderate lead concentrations should not be incriminated to risk of atherosclerosis or impairment of liver function.