Toxicopathological Study of Lead Acetate Poisoning in Growing Rats and the Protective Effect of Cysteine or Calcium

The study was designed mainly to investigate the toxicopathological changes in rat ingested toxic dose of lead acetate and the protective effects of cysteine and calcium in case of lead poisoning. The study was done on 84 rat of approximately same age 6-7 weeks, and body weight 45-60 gms divided equally into (6) groups as follows:-The first group was given lead acetate solution orally at a dose of 75 mg/Kg. BW./ day for 2 months. The second group was given lead acetate solution orally at a dose of 75 mg/Kg. BW. day and cysteine solution at a dose of 200 mg/Kg. BW. day for 2 months. The third group was given lead acetate solution orally at a dose of 75 mg/Kg. BW./day and calcium gluconate solution at a dose of 500 mg/Kg. BW./ day for 2 months. The fourth group was given cysteine solution orally at a dose of 200 mg/Kg. BW./day for 2 months. The fifth group was given Calcium gluconate solution orally at a dose of 500 mg Kg. BW. day for 2 months. The sixth group was given orally distilled water day for 2 months and considered as control group. Toxicopathological changes showed the followings Hepatomegaly, nephromegaly with pale yellow color, and stretched capsule, spleen atrophied or enlarged in size with severe congestion. The brain showed congestion and edema. Liver showed necrosis with formation of hyperplastic nodules and presence of intranuclear inclusion bodies within hepatocytes but less conspicuous than in kidney. Kidney showed degeneration and necrosis of the epithelial lining of proximal and distal convoluted tubules, with presence of large numbers of inclusion bodies especially at the first and second scarification, with atrophy of glomerular tuft and dilation of collecting tubules containing hyline cast. The brain sections showed perineuronal and perivascular edema with malacia and hyperatrophy and hyperplasia of endothelial cells lining the blood capillaries, and severe demyelination of cerebrum and spinal cord. Degeneration and necrosis with edema of myocardium with moderate fibrosis, and atrophy of islets of langerhan s and fibrosis of pancreas. Spleen showed severe depletion of white pulp lymphoid tissue with extramedullary hemopoiesis characterized by the presence of large numbers of megakaryocytes. Treated groups with cysteine and calcium showed increase in the cellular response and hyperplasia of the organs lymphoid tissue. We concluded that lead acetate poisoning in rats causes toxicopathologiacl changes in the internal organs with precancerous lesions. Using of cysteine and calcium as a protective agent can reduce the toxic effect of lead acetate and improve the histopathological lesions.