Lead inhalation and hepatic damage: Morphological and functional evaluation in mice

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that plays an unknown biological role and is very toxic even at low concentrations. The main sources of Pb are Pb-contaminated areas in industrial areas or landfills. Inhalation is one of the most common routes of exposure to this metal, but there is little information on its effect on the liver. Thirty male mice were exposed to 0.1 M Pb acetate by inhalation for 8 weeks, twice a week for 1h. A recovery group was free of exposure for 4 weeks. Histological evaluation showed an increase in the inflammatory infiltrate and in the percentage of meganuclei in the liver. This was observed since the first week and throughout the whole exposure time. A significant increase in the aspartate aminotransferase concentration was observed in the liver function tests; yet, the alanine aminotransferase concentration did not show significant changes. The 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and nitrotyrosine levels in Pb-exposed mice, identified by immunohistochemistry, showed a significant increment compared to the controls. This effect was observed throughout Pb exposure. After a 4-week period of suspended exposure, recovery time, the concentration of 4-HNE and nitrotyrosine decreased to similar levels of those previously observed in controls, this suggests a decrease in the generation of oxidative stress by Pb inhalation. Although our results suggest that the lungs are the first contact organs and filters during Pb inhalation, this metal eventually reaches the liver and might cause damage by oxidative stress. This damage can decrease in time if exposure is discontinued.