SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists

B16
AMELIORATION OF LEAD TOXICITY WITH VITAMIN C AND SILYMARIN SUPPLEMENTS
Shalan, M.G.*l; Mostafa, M.S.2; Hassouna, M.M; Hassab EI-Nabi, S.E. J , EI-Refaie, A.4: lBiological and
Geological Sciences Dept., AI-Arish Faculty of Education, Suez Canal University, Egypt. 2Clinical
Pathology Dept., National Liver Institute, Menoufiya University, Egypt. 3Zo010gy Dept., Faculty of
Science, Menoufiya University, Egypt. 4Pathology Dept., National Liver Institute, Minoufiya University,
Egypt.
The aim ofthe present study was to investigate the impact of the combined administration ofvitamin C and
silymarin on lead toxicity. Male albino rats were subdivided into 3 groups; the first was a control group, the
second received lead acetate in the diet as 500 mg/Kg diet daily, the third received the same lead acetate
dose and supplemented with vitamin C (I mg/IOO g body weight) and silymarin (I mg/lOO g body weight)
by gastric tube 3 times per week. Blood samples were taken after 2,4 and 6 weeks oftreatment. Significant
lead-induced elevations in serum AL T, AST, GGT and ALP activities were observed after different periods
of treatment. However serum LDLc was decreased. The intensities of RNA and apoptotic fragments of
DNA were measured as optical density by the Gel-pro program. Lead acetate decreased the intensity of
DNA at 6 weeks and induced apoptotic DNA fragments reversibly with time. After two weeks of lead
administration dilation and congestion of terminal hepatic veins and portal vein branches were observed.
Lead also induced hepatocyte proliferation without any localized distribution among zones 1,2,3. Portal
inflammatory infiltrate with disruption of the limiting plates (interface hepatitis), steatosis, apoptosis and
mild fibrosis were detected especially by sixth week of lead administration. Combined treatment of leadexposed
animals with vitamin C and silymarin showed marked improvement ofthe biochemical, molecular
and histopathological findings. These experimental results strongly indicate the protectiVe effect ofvitamin
C and silymarin against toxic effects of lead on liver tissue.
Keywords: Lead, vitamin C, silymarin, liver, serum
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