IMPACT OF CHRONIC LEAD POISONING ON LEARNING AND MEMORY IN RATS

[Objective]To research lead acetate with different concentration impact learning and memory in rats,and investigate its possible mechanism.[Methods]40 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups randomly:normal group(distilled water,A group),high concentration group(0.2%,B group),middle concentration group(0.1%,C group)and low concentration group(0.05%,D group).Each group drank lead acetate aqueous solution with different concentration 2 months.The vigor of AchE in brain tissue homogenate was detected by spectrophotometric method.Morris maze method was adopted to observe the impact on the learning disorder and memory disorder of lead poisoned rats.[Results]Compared with A group,the vigor of AchE in brain tissue of B,C and D groups significantly descended(P﹤0.01 and P﹤0.05,respectively).In Morris maze experiment,there showed a significantly longer time for B and C group rats to reach the end point of the maze than those of A group(P﹤0.01 and P﹤0.05);D group rats need more time to reach the end point of the maze either,but without no statistically significant(P﹥0.05).[Conclusion]Lead poisoning could destroy the vigor of AchE to damage the capability of learning and memory in rats.