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

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Minoo Moshtaghie

  2. Young Researchers Club, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Pedram Malekpouri

  3. Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Dinko

  4. Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Science, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

    Ali Asghar Moshtaghie

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  1. Minoo Moshtaghie
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  2. Pedram Malekpouri
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  4. Ali Asghar Moshtaghie
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Correspondence to Pedram Malekpouri.

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Moshtaghie, M., Malekpouri, P., Dinko, M.R. et al. Changes in serum parameters associated with iron metabolism in male rat exposed to lead. J Physiol Biochem 69, 297–304 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-012-0212-9

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