Influence of lead on the distribution of macro- and microelements and biochemical parameters in the organs of rats

Heavy metals, entering the environment, accumulate in various organisms, disrupting metabolic pathways and are potentially dangerous for human health. Therefore, it is important to determine the mechanism of disturbances in some mammalian systems due to long-term exposure to a heavy metal such as lead. Therefore, there is a need for careful research, analysis and investigation of the consequences of the accumulation of heavy metals in organisms and further development of strategies to mitigate their effects. The purpose of this study was to study the influence of exposure to lead (II) on the distribution of macro- and microelements and biochemical indicators in the organs of rats. The total time of the experiment was 8 days, it was conducted on sixteen 3-month-old male rats of the Wistar line, which were divided into two groups: control and experimental. The experimental group was irradiated with a sublethal dose of lead acetate, while the control group remained unirradiated. After seven days of exposure, the rats were euthanized and samples of their hearts, kidneys and livers were analyzed for certain metals, including lead, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium and cadmium. Blood samples were also collected and analyzed for lipid metabolism, aminotransferase activity, and glutathione levels. The results of this study showed significant accumulation of lead in the liver and kidneys of the exposed rats. In addition, changes in the concentrations of calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, and cadmium were observed in various organs, suggesting that exposure to lead may disrupt the normal distribution of these essential nutrients. The study also found reduced levels of reduced glutathione and levels of sulfhydryl groups, suggesting increased use of thiol compounds for detoxification and antioxidant defense in response to lead exposure. It should be noted that the activity of liver aminotransferase was significantly impaired, which emphasizes the sensitivity of this enzyme to the influence of lead. Thus, this study provides valuable information on the toxic effects of heavy metals, particularly lead, on the distribution of essential nutrients and biochemical parameters in rat organs. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the toxicity of heavy metals and their effects on biological systems. In addition, the study highlights the need for the development of functional foods that can help mitigate the effects of xenobiotic intoxication, which can have significant consequences for human health, as well as further research into ways to remove heavy metals from the body.