Effect of exposure to lead on maturation of intestinal iron absorption of rats. [PbCO/sub 3/]

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1978 · J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287397809529677· OSTI ID:6736441

Dobbins, A; Johnson, D R; Nathan, P

The influence of lead on iron absorption was investigated at various stages of development in rat pups exposed to lead first through mothers' milk and later in their solid diet. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, iron absorption, and tissue iron concentration were measured on d 14, 20, 23, 29, 35, 42, and 63 after birth. Both hematocrit and hemoglobin in the lead-exposed group were significantly below levels at all periods earlier than d 42 and 63, respectively. Absorption of iron ((/sup 59/Fe)-ferrous citrate in 10/sup -4/ M FeSO/sub 4/) from intestinal loops measured over /sup 1///sub 2/ h remained at preweaning levels (10 to 12% of total activity added to the loop) for at least 1 wk after weaning in the lead-exposed rats, whereas in control animals iron absorption fell to adult levels (3 to 4%) at weaning. Spleen weight was significantly elevated in lead-exposed rats compared with control rats at all ages beyond d 14. However, spleen iron content (micrograms of Fe per gram of tissue) was not significantly elevated in the lead-exposed group before d 42. The results indicate that exposure to lead does not reduce iron absorption from the intestinal tract; thus alteration of intestinal iron absorption does not contribute to lead-induced anemia. Indeed, lead-exposed rats demonstrated increased iron uptake.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Cincinnati Coll. of Medicine
• OSTI ID: 6736441
• Journal Information: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 4:4; ISSN JTEHD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550901 -- Pathology-- Tracer Techniques
551001 -- Physiological Systems-- Tracer Techniques
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-PLUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
DIET
DISEASES
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
ELEMENTS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HOURS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
IRON 52
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON ISOTOPES
IRON SULFATES
ISOTOPES
LEAD
LEAD COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
METALS
NUCLEI
ORGANS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIOISOTOPES
RATS
RODENTS
SPLEEN
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES