STUDY ON EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO LEAD ON COPPER AND ZINC IN RATS

[Objective] To study on the effects of exposure to lead on copper and zinc in rats. [Methods] SD rats were random divided into control group and several experimental groups which exposed to different doses of lead acetate. The rats were exposed to lead acetate through intragastric administration for 8 weeks. The blood, serum, bone and brain of all rats were ex- tracted in the end of the 8th week. The contents of copper and zinc in these tissues and lead in blood and bone were measured. [Results] The contents of lead in blood and bone increased with the increasing of exposure dose to lead, and there was signifi- cant difference among different groups (P﹤0.05). The contents of zinc in serum, bone, and brain decreased, and there was significant difference among high dose group and control group (P﹤0.05). The contents of copper in bone was decreased, but increased in blood and brain, there was significant differences among above high dose group and control group were significant (P﹤0.05). [Conclusion] Exposure to lead has significant effect on the contents of copper and zinc in tissues of rats.