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Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential, biochemical and morphological analysis in brain of rats treated with subchronic lead: protective effect of supplementation with iron

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Author(s):
Josilene Luciene Duarte
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: Bauru.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB/SDB)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Marilia Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf; Katia de Freitas Alvarenga; Carlos Henrique Ferreira Martins; Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio; Sandra de Oliveira Saes
Advisor: Marilia Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf
Abstract

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that may cause alterations in the central nervous system (CNS) and auditory system. There is lack of studies demonstrating these clinical alterations, combined to the biochemical and morphological alterations in the brain of rats exposed to Pb. It has been reported that iron (Fe) has a protective effect on the brain toxicity caused by Pb. This study evaluated the electrical brain activity, analyzed the Pb concentration in blood and brain tissue, and observed the morphological aspect of the brain in rats intoxicated by Pb, submitted or not to Fe supplementation. A pilot study was conducted on 20 recently weaned male rats (Rattus norvegicus, Wistar type) divided in 5 groups, being one control and 4 experimental (n=4/group). In the experimental groups, the animals received lead acetate in drinking water for 6 weeks at concentrations of 100 mg/L and 400 mg/L of Pb, and in two of these groups there was simultaneous administration of 20 mg/Kg of FeSO4 at every 2 days, by gastric gavage. The control group received deionized water. After establishing the relationship between the administered Pb and its concentration in blood (10 &#x3BC;gPb/dL and 30 &#x3BC;gPb/dL for concentrations of 100 and 400 mg/L of Pb, respectively), the study was conducted on 30 recently weaned rats divided in 6 groups (n=5/group). The five first groups were identical to those used in the pilot study, including one group in which the animals received deionized water and 20 mg/Kg FeSO4 by gastric gavage at every 2 days, for 6 weeks. After the study period, the Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential (CAEC) was applied for analysis of latency of the components P1, N1 and P2. The animals were killed, their brains were removed and submitted to histological processing (hematoxylin and eosin) for light microscopy analysis. Data were analyzed by the ANOVA/Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn and linear regression tests (p<0.05). A dose- response relationship was observed in the Pb concentration in blood and brain. The administration of FeSO4 reduced the Pb levels in blood and brain, and even though the difference was only significant for blood (group receiving 100 mg/L of Pb), there was significant correlation between the Pb levels in blood and brain ((r2 = 0.94; p<0.0001). The mean latency of components P1, N1 and P2 of the CAEC was higher in animals in the group 400 mg/L Pb + 20 mg/Kg FeSO4. No significant morphological alterations were observed in the brain tissue of animals in the different groups, except for some pericellular spaces in animals in the group 400 mg/L Pb + 20 mg/Kg FeSO4. It was concluded that Pb ingestion individually was not able to increase the latencies of components P1, N1 and P2 of the CAEC and morphological alterations in the brain tissue, except for the highest Pb dose used (400 mg/L), associated to the use of Fe (20 mg FeSO4). Additionally, the Fe supplementation was able to reduce the levels of the metal in the blood and brain. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/09828-6 - Evoked auditive potential related to events and proteomic and histological analysis in auditive cortex of rats submitted to subchronic treatment with lead: protective effect of iron supplementation
Grantee:Josilene Luciene Duarte
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate