| Effects of sublethal doses of lead acetate and their influence on dopamine, L-NAME, and verapamil in rats |
| Paper ID : 1244-IGA |
| Authors |
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Dion Haliti * University of Prishtina, Faculty of Medicine, Prishtina, Kosovo |
| Abstract |
| Background and Aim: Lead, a known toxicant, affects several neurophysiological systems. In particular, neurotransmitter balance and vascular regulation can be disrupted by exposure to sublethal levels of lead acetate. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sublethal doses of lead acetate on dopamine, calcium channel blocker (verapamil), and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) levels in rats. Materials and Method: Forty-four adult male rats were randomly divided into control and lead-treated groups. For 14 consecutive days, the lead-treated group received a sublethal intraperitoneal dose of lead acetate, while the control group received saline. At the end of the treatment period, brain tissue and blood samples were collected. Dopamine concentration was assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Verapamil and L-NAME levels were measured using spectrophotometric analysis and specific immunoassays. Results: Dopamine levels in lead-exposed rats were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.01), indicating disrupted neurotransmission. Additionally, there was a significant increase in L-NAME levels (p < 0.05), suggesting enhanced inhibition of nitric oxide production. Verapamil concentrations also decreased significantly (p < 0.05), potentially indicating calcium channel dysfunction. Conclusion: Exposure to even small amounts of lead acetate can significantly alter levels of key neurotransmitters and regulatory molecules. These changes may underlie the neurotoxic and vasoregulatory effects of lead, emphasizing the need for further research into preventive strategies against lead toxicity, even at low exposure levels. |
| Keywords |
| Lead acetate, Dopamine, L-NAME, Verapamil, Rats |
| Status: Accepted |
