Potential effects of some antioxidants against lead toxicity

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of quercetin or zinc and their mixture against lead toxicity.Thirty five adult male albino rats were divided into five groups of seven rats in each. The first was a control group, the second and third group received lead nitrate and quercetin orally in adose of 20 and 50mg/kg b.wt /dayrespectively;thefourth group wasi.pingected with 2mg/kg b.wt/day of zinc.The last group supplemented both antioxidants (quercetin&zinc) for 2 weeks. Lead administration showed a significant elevation in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST),alanine aminotransferase (ALT),alkaline phosphatase (ALP) andlactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and in serum level of total bilirubin beside reduction in serum level of albumin .The concentration ofreduced glutathione (GSH) ,GSH/GSSG ratio and the activity ofof superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly decreased in the liver of rats that had received lead whileoxidized glutathione (GSSG) andmalonaldehyde (MDA) were significantly increased. The results of the current study showed significant improvement in serum biochemical parameters beside reduction in alterations in liver antioxidant defensestatus mainly through glutathione dependent system..Itcan be concluded that best amelioration was occurred inlead-toxicated rats that received both antioxidants for 2 weeks and quercetin acts synergistically with zinc to protect and inabating some hazards of lead on liver tissue