Effect of varying dietary ascorbic acid (AA) on lead (Pb) toxicity in guinea pigs

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1975 · Fed. Proc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5261331

Mahaffey, K R; Banks, T A

Addition of large amounts of AA to the diet has been suggested as beneficial in prevention or treatment of Pb toxicity. To investigate the specific effect of AA 48 male albino guinea pigs weighing 300-325 gms were divided into 6 groups receiving purified diets containing sodium ascorbate at the levels of 150, 200 or 3000 mg/kg diet and Pb at either trace or 0.5% of diet. The Pb was added as Pb acetate. Diets containing 0.5% Pb have been found to produce moderate hematologic and renal changes in guinea pigs under similar laboratory conditions. Weight gain and food consumption of the animals were not reduced by feeding 0.5% Pb. Animals receiving the highest level of AA consumed more food and showed greater weight gain than other groups. 0.5% Pb resulted in highly increased blood and kidney Pb concentrations and increased renal weight, but the magnitude of the increase could not be directly related to AA intake. Hematocrit was decreased by dietary Pb but the response was not influenced by AA. It is concluded that the addition of AA at levels 15 times those present in normal diets neither provided protection nor increased the toxic effects of Pb.

• Research Organization: Federal Drug Administration, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 5261331
• Journal Information: Fed. Proc.; (United States), Journal Name: Fed. Proc.; (United States) Vol. 34:5; ISSN FEPRA
• 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
ASCORBIC ACID
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
DIET
ELEMENTS
ERYTHROCYTES
GUINEA PIGS
KIDNEYS
LEAD
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
METALS
ORGANS
RODENTS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES
VITAMINS
WEIGHT