Changes in serum parameters associated with iron metabolism in male rat exposed to lead

Due to the severe hazardous influences of lead (Pb2+) on iron-related diseases, the effects of Pb2+ on serum parameters associated with iron metabolism have been studied in this project. Male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were treated with Pb2+ for the short and long period of times. The animals received daily intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg Pb2+ kg(-1) body weight (BW) for 5 days and 4 mg kg(-1) BW of Pb2+ for 30 and 45 days, respectively. The results show that when animals were treated with both low and high concentrations of Pb2+, serum iron concentration decreased markedly, by 23.2, 32.8, and 39.9 %, while the sera TIBC and transferrin concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.05). Following short- and long-term exposures to Pb2+, the percentage of serum transferrin saturation was also decreased in comparison with the untreated control group (p < 0.05). Concentrations of serum copper and ceruloplasmin following Pb2+ treatments also reduced significantly (p < 0.05). The percentage of hematocrit and hemoglobin levels was reduced (p < 0.05) in all Pb2+-treated animals in comparison with the controls. These results suggest that Pb2+ changes the serum parameters related to iron metabolism, which may play an important role in producing iron-related diseases.