The Lead Content in Organs of Male Rats Under Chronic Intake From Diet in Low Doses

Abstract

The content of lead in the liver, kidneys and spleen of male rats of the Wistar line was studied in chronic metal intake at doses of 0,0019; 0,0023 and 0,0039 mg/ kg of body weight. Clinically healthy animals (120 heads, age of 3-4 months) were divided into 4 (four) groups of 30 heads each. Group 1 of animals received basic diet and served as control. Rats of 2, 3 and 4 groups (experiment) received 5 g of meat with different concentrations of lead daily for 180 days of study with the main diet. The content of lead in meat did not exceed the permissible level (0,5 mg/kg) and was 0,13; 0,16 and 0,27 mg/kg, respectively. Samples of organs and tissues were taken of 5 (five) animals from each group for the 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 day of intoxication. Chronic intake of lead with a diet in male rats at doses of 0,0019; 0,0023 and 0,0039 mg/kg of body weight led to increasing of the concentration of metal in the liver, kidneys and spleen. The maximum values of the index were observed in animals of 4 groups, which received lead at a dose of 0,0039 mg/kg of body weight. The comparative analysis of lead concentration in organs revealed the maximum levels of metal in the kidneys, which exceeded the standards in the by-products of slaughter animals established both in Russia and in Europe. The received results allow to speak about necessity of revision of the permissible content of lead in meat and meat products of slaughter animals specified in Russian Federation (0,5 mg/ kg) and daily admission to the human body (0,0036 mg/kg of body weight) recommended by WHO.