The effect of chronic lead acetate trihydrate intoxication in Wistar rats on experimental Ascaris suum infestation and immunity

Abstract

SummarySPF male Wistar rats were exposed for four months to lead acetate trihydrate present in drinking water (100 mg/l) and subsequently infested with 1000 ± 100 infective A. suum eggs. Metabolic activity of phagocytes and proliferative activity of T-lymphocytes were investigated on Day 4 and 8 after A. suum eggs infestation (Day 130 and 134 of lead acetate trihydrate exposition). The results demonstrated that treatment with lead acetate trihydrate led to increased susceptibility to infestation, manifested by increased average number of A. suum larvae in the lungs of exposed rats compared to unexposed ones. Moreover, migration of A. suum larvae on Day 8 was associated with significant increase in index of metabolic activity of phagocytes in unexposed rats in comparison with controls. In contrast, in rats exposed to the lead and infested by A. suum eggs a non-significant increase in the studied immunological parameters was recorded. Significant differences in immunological parameters were observed between unexposed, infested and infested and exposed groups of rats. In the unexposed group of animals Ascaris suum infestation caused a significant increase in the index of metabolic activity of phagocytes and stimulation index of lymphocytes in comparison with lead exposed rats.

Wolbachia Infection Decreased the Resistance of Drosophila to Lead

“…Pb-induced lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes has been demonstrated to play a critical role in the oxidative damage of liver [12] . Pb may produce serious immunotoxicity to phagocytic activity as well as cellular and humoral immunity, resulting in increased host susceptibility to infection, or tumorigenesis [13] – [15] . One of the major mechanisms concerning the toxicity of Pb is attributed to its ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which results in oxidative stress [16] , [17] .…”