Lead acetate induced toxicities and antitoxic effect of Vitamin E and selenium in mice

Abstract

Background: The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different dosages of lead in the hematological parameters of mice and to observe the antitoxic role of Vitamin E and Selenium in induced lead toxicities. Moreover, the toxic effect of lead in the reproduction of female mice was also examined. Methods: A total of 72 (48 male and 24 female) Swiss albino mice were used in the experiment. After adaptation, 42 male mice were selected for hematological studies and divided into seven groups (n=6) where Group A represented healthy control mice and Group B, C, and D were treated with lead acetate at the rate of 0.5mg/kg, 1mg/kg and 2mg/kg respectively. Similarly, three other groups B+, C+, and D+ were treated with lead acetate plus Vitamin E and Selenium at the rate of 2ml per liter drinking water. A total of 24 female mice were divided into four groups (n=6), group E represented control mice and Group F, G, and H were treated with lead acetate at the rate of 0.5mg/kg, 1mg/kg, and 2mg/kg for three weeks followed by matting and treatment was continued for another one week of gestation. Blood sample was analyzed from the hematological study group. Result: The lead treatment caused a dose-dependent decrease in the value of Hb and PCV significantly whereas the value of TEC and TLC were significantly decreased in Group C and D in relation to Control. The value of ESR increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner in Group D in relation to Control whereas MCV and MCH values were significantly decreased than that of control. The value of TEC, Hb, PCV, ESR, and TLC improved in the Lead plus Vitamin E- Selenium treated group as compared to the Lead treated group but, only Group C+ showed significant improvement as compared to Group C. The value of neutrophil and monocyte were significantly decreased were as lymphocyte and eosinophil were significantly increased relative to control. There was a dose-dependent effect of lead in pregnancy of female mice with the highest effect (premature delivery and infant mortality) on high dose treated mice. Conclusion: It can be concluded that lead has a great impact on hematological parameters and has an effect on various systems of the body. Premature birth and abortion are major effects of lead toxicity. Our results suggest that hemolysis of RBC and or impairment of erythropoiesis may be caused by lead toxicity and the hematological values can be restored by the use of Vitamin E plus Selenium.