Blood-brain barrier dysfunction in acute lead encephalopathy: a reappraisal

Journal Article · Sun Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1975 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.751281· OSTI ID:5212652

Bouldin, T W ^[1]; Mushak, P; O'Tuama, L A; Krigman, M R

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1. Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Acute lead encephalopathy was induced in adult guinea pigs by administering daily oral doses of lead carbonate. During the development of the encephalopathy, the structural and functional integrity of the blood--brain barrier was evaluated with electron microscopy and tracer probes. Blood, cerebral gray matter, liver, and kidney were analyzed for lead, calcium, and magnesium content. The animals regularly developed an encephalopathy after four doses of lead. There were no discernible pathomorphologic alterations in the cerebral capillaries or perivascular glial sheaths. Furthermore, no evidence of blood--brain barrier dysfunction was demonstrated with Evans blue--albumin complex or horseradish peroxidase. Blood--brain barrier permeability to radiolead was not increased in the intoxicated animals. During the development of the encephalopathy there was a progressive rise in the lead concentration in all tissues. Concurrently, there was a significant rise in brain calcium. These results suggest that the encephalopathic effects of lead may be mediated directly at the neuronal level.

• OSTI ID: 5212652
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 12; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISEASES
GUINEA PIGS
LEAD COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
ORAL ADMINISTRATION
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES