Monitoring the toxic effects of Pb, Cd and Cu on hematological parameters of Wistar rats and potential protective role of lipoic acid and glutathione

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution is a serious environmental and health problem. The negative effects of heavy metals that can enter human body can be reduced by the addition of some supplements. In this study, the effects of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) on the hematological parameters in Wistar rats in the absence and presence of lipoic acid and glutathione were analyzed. Pb, Cd and Cu intoxication significantly affected the hematological parameters of treated animals. The main effects in the case of Pb and Cd intoxication were decreased values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit (up to 30% and 20% for these two metals, respectively) compared with the control group. Cu intoxication caused decrease in hematocrit, thrombocytes, mean cell volume values (c.a. 15%) and slight decrease in the erythrocyte number, while the value of hemoglobin increased (c.a. 7%). The treatment with lipoic acid and glutathione reduced the toxic effects of these metals in all cases.

Alleviating Effect of α-Lipoic Acid and Magnesium on Cadmium-Induced Inflammatory Processes, Oxidative Stress and Bone Metabolism Disorders in Wistar Rats

“…The influence of α-lipoic acid on blood morphology under conditions of exposure to heavy metals was the subject of earlier studies [38,39]. Ghosh et al [38] obtained a more efficient impact of α-lipoic acid on the improvement of hematological parameters (changed by subchronic arsenic intoxication) than that observed in our study.…”

Comparative Effect of Silymarin and D-Penicillamine on Lead Induced Hemotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Rat

“…Lead intoxication has been shown to stimulate a striking leukocytosis, due to neutrophilia and monocytosis, probably because of possible inflammations and immune response caused by this heavy metal in mice and rats [20][21]. In addition, occupational long-term exposures to lead were demonstrated to induce an increase in total leukocyte, neutophil and monocyte counts, in association with elevated blood lead level [22][23].…”

Toxicological analysis of the risk of lead exposure in metal processing

“…Even with low concentrations in the blood lead has neurotoxic effects, as well as a vasoconstrictive effect; therefore, it can have nephrotoxic effects and influence on the activity of some enzymes and values of blood parameters [2,16,17]. Blood lead levels of the exposed and control group are cca.…”

“…People can experience lead poisoning from various sources: contaminated air, food, water, work environment, etc [1]. After entering the human body, lead is transported through the blood system to the target organs (liver, kidneys, brain, or bones) where it manifests its toxic effects due to its high affinity for binding with donor atoms of functional groups from different biomolecules (enzymes) [2]. Lead values in the blood are the…”