Experimental enhancement of lead toxicity by low dietary calcium

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1970 · J. Lab. Clin. Med.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5317662

Six, K M; Goyer, R A

Variation in susceptibility to lead (Pb) toxicity is influenced by a variety of clinical factors. This experiment investigates the influence of dietary calcium (Ca) in young albino rats fed 200 ppM of Pb in drinking water. This dosage of Pb produces subclinical toxicity in rats fed normal laboratory chow. Lowering dietary Ca greatly increases the body burden resulting from this dose of Pb as shown by increased absorption and urinary excretion of Pb and by increased levels of Pb in blood, soft tissue, and bone. Pathologic changes reflecting overt toxicity of Pb are also greater in rats fed the low-Ca diet rather than normal amounts of dietary Ca. Pathologic changes enhanced by the low-Ca diet are anemia and increased excretion of delta-aminolevulinic acid (d-ALA), as well as the frequency and size of intranuclear inclusion bodies in renal tubular cells, kidney size, and aminoaciduria. This study suggests that at least one dietary factor, low Ca ingestion, influences the pathologic effects of exposure to a specific dose of Pb. This finding may be particularly relevant to the incidence of toxic manifestations of Pb exposure among marginally nourished urban inhabitants. 19 references, 3 figures, 5 tables.

• Research Organization: Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• OSTI ID: 5317662
• Journal Information: J. Lab. Clin. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Lab. Clin. Med.; (United States) Vol. 76:6; ISSN JLCMA
• 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.
ABSORPTION
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ANIMAL TISSUES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BLOOD
BODY
BODY BURDEN
BODY FLUIDS
BONE TISSUES
CALCIUM
CLEARANCE
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
DIET
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
EXCRETION
INGESTION
INTAKE
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
KIDNEYS
LEAD
MATERIALS
METALS
NUTRIENTS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TISSUES
TOXICITY
UPTAKE
URINE
WASTES