Abstract
Publications concerning the protective effect of pectin against lead induced toxicity in rats are not available. In order to study such effect, 40 male rats were divided into 3 groups. The first group was contained 10 rats that kept as control group. The second group was contained 10 rats that received pectin at dose of 100 mg/kg BW during experimental period (8 weeks). The third group was contained 20 rats that received 400mg/kg BW of lead acetate daily for 4 weeks then divided into two subgroups (3A and 3B). Subgroup 3A contained 10 rats that still receive lead acetate in the same dosage whereas, subgroup B co-treated with lead acetate and pectin daily for another 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected after 2, 4 and 8 weeks from the start of the experiment. Liver, kidney and bone marrows were collected only at the end of the experiment. Lead acetate induced anemia only after 4 weeks of administration as reflected on decreased values of Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC. These indices remained at lower levels in lead acetate treated groups until the end of the experiment. Concentrations of serum ferritin, iron, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and the expression of hepatic hepcidin gene were decreased significantly in lead acetate intoxicated rats compared to control. Activities of ALT and AST and concentrations of urea, creatinine, Nitric oxide (NO), TNF-alpha, IL-6, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and lead were increased significantly in lead acetate intoxicated group compared to control. Hepatic degeneration and hemorrhage, renal lytic necrosis and apoptosis of myeloid cells were most prominent changes in lead intoxicated rats. Lead acetated related changes were improved by co-treatment with pectin however; normal control val- ues have not been achieved. Conclusively, pectin is recommended to protect against lead acetate toxicity in rats.