Abstract

Lead is one of the environmental pollutants that can threat the life of living creatures in many ways. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of lead exposure on kidney function. Fourteen male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups; group 1 was given a tap water diet and group 2 was given 1000 ppm lead acetate in drinking water for 8 weeks. Lead concentration in blood was determined by atomic absorption. The results showed an increase of calcium in blood. The same happened for phosphaturia and calcium in rats administered with Pb compared to control group. The increase of these parameters would indicate a renal deficiency which is confirmed by a decrease of creatinine and urea in urine samples and presence of calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals observed in samples of urine of exposed rats. All lead-treated rats in the present study have shown intranuclear inclusion bodies in kidney proximal tubular. The determination of the concentration of lead in the blood shows that this factor increases among treated rats. In conclusion, lead administered by oral route causes a renal deficiency to the rats.

Key words: lead toxicity, nephrotoxicity, chronic lead nephropathy, urine.