Electrolytes Alterations in Some Organs due to Lead Exposure

Background: Lead is one of the metals whose toxicological effect in humans and animals is of clinical concerned. Once it is absorbed, it is distributed via the blood to various tissues and organs where they are stored. Electrolytes played significant role in metabolic and physiological processes taken in the body. We investigated some electrolytes distribution in the blood, liver, kidney, spleen and brain of male Albino rats exposed to different concentrations of lead as lead acetate. Methods: A total of sixteen male Wistar rats were used for the experiment. They were randomly divided into four groups (A-D) of four animals per group and were treated with lead acetate orally as the source of lead exposure for a period of four, eight and twelve weeks. Results: The results showed a significant increase in blood lead concentration and decrease in plasma sodium, potassium, and calcium and magnesium concentrations. The electrolytes concentrations in various organs studied showed different patterns of variations which were dose and time dependent. Conclusions: It can be concluded that exposure to lead could result in perturbation of electrolytes in blood and different organs thus interfering with electrolytes metabolism resulting in deterioration of cellular functions.