The effects of lead and zinc ion exposure on the antioxidant status of mice liver

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of lead (Pb) and / or zinc (Zn) ions on the content of metallothionein (MT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in mouse liver. Two weeks of mice intraperitoneal treatment with ZnSO4 and Pb(CH3COO)2 solutions, increased the content of MT by 25% and 55%, respectively. Mice pre-treatment with ZnSO4 for 20 min before Pb(CH3COO)2 injections, attenuated the effect of Pb2+ and partly reduced (by 30%) the increase of MT content in mice liver. Two weeks of administration with Pb(CH3COO)2 solution, induced the decrease of GSH content by 22% comparing to the control. Treatment with ZnSO4 didn’t have any effect on the content of GSH. Pre-treatment with ZnSO4 for 20 min before Pb(CH3COO)2 injections decreased GSH content in mice liver by 48% as compared to the control group of mice. Neither Pb2+ nor Zn2– caused any remarkable alterations on MDA content in liver of mice. Keywords: lead, zinc, metallothionein, reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, oxidative stress