Abstract
Influence of zinc supplementation (30 and 45 mg kg−1, orally once for 5 days) during chelation of lead (0.3 mmol kg−1, chelating agent, i.p., once for 5 days) on some selected variables of the immune system was investigated in male rats. Treatment with CaNa2EDTA either alone or in combination with zinc (30 mg kg−1) produced a significant recovery in lead induced alteration in primary antibody forming cells to T-dependent antigen and the delayed-type hypersensitivity response to bovine albumin. However, biologically significant recovery was observed only with zinc at a dose of 45 mg kg1. It is assumed that zinc depletion during lead exposure and chelation treatment lead to harmful effects on cellular proliferation by inhibiting DNA synthesis and various enzymes during mitosis. The zinc supplementation fulfills this requirement during proliferation and clonal expansion of immunocompetent cells augmenting the immune system.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blakely BR, Archer DL. 1981 The effect of lead acetate on the immune response in mice. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 61, 18–26.
Brownie CF, Brownie C, Noden D, et al. 1986 Teratogenic effect of calcium edetate (CaEDTA) in rats and the protective effect of zinc. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 82, 426–443.
Cantilena LR, Klaassen CD. 1982 The effect of chelating agents on the excretion of endogenous metals. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 63, 344–350.
Cunningham AJ. 1965 A method of increased sensitivity for detecting single antibody forming cell. Nature 20, 1106–1107.
Exon JH, Koller LD, Talcott PA, et al. 1984 Immunotoxicity testing: an economical multiple assay approach. Fundam Appl Toxicol 7, 387–397.
Faith RE, Luster MI, Kimmel CA. 1979 Effect of chronic developmental lead exposure on cell mediated immune functions. Clin Exp Immunol 35, 413–420.
Flora SJS, Kumar D, Das Gupta S. 1991 Interaction of zinc, methionine or their combination with lead at gastro intestinal or post absorptive level in rats. Pharmacol Toxicol 68, 3–7.
Flora SJS, Tandon SK. 1990 Beneficial effects of zinc supplementation during chelation treatment of lead intoxication in rats. Toxicology 64, 129–139.
Flora SJS, Kumar P. 1993 Biochemical and Immunotoxicological evaluation of metal chelating drugs in rats. Drug Invest 5, 269–273.
Luster MI, Blank JA, Dean JH. 1987 Molecular and cellular basis of chemically induced immunotoxicity. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 27, 23–49.
Papaioannou RA, Sohler A, Pfeiffer CC. 1978 Reduction of blood lead levels in battery workers by zinc and vitamin C. J Orthomol Psychiat 7, 1–13.
Planas-Bohne F, Lohbreier J. 1976 Toxicological studies on DTPA. In: Diagnosis and Treatment of Incorporated Radionucleides. Vienna: IAEA; 505–515.
Rosenblatt DE, Aronsen AL. 1978 Calcium ethylene-diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) toxicity: time and dose response studies on intestinal DNA synthesis in rats. Exp Mol Pathol 28, 202–214.
Thomas DJ, Chisolm JJ Jr. 1986 Lead, zinc and copper decorporation during calcium disodium ethylene-diamine tetraacetate treatment of lead poisoned children. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 239, 829–835.
Victery W, Miller CR, Goyer RA. 1986 Essential trace metal excretion from rats with lead exposure and during chelation therapy. J Lab Clin Med 107, 129–135.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kumar, P., Rai, G.P. & Flora, S.J.S. Immunomodulation following zinc supplementation during chelation of lead in male rats. Biometals 7, 41–44 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00205192
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00205192