Metabolism Changes in Growing Rats Fed Diets with Different Levels of Lead and Protein

납(Pb)과 단백질 수준을 달리한 식이로 사육한 성장기 흰쥐의 체내대사 변화

This study was performed to see the effects of lead poisoning and dietary protein levels(6, 15 and 40 % casein diets) on growth, protein and lipid metabolisms in growing rats. It was also investigated whether the high protein intake would alleviate lead toxicity by decreasing Pb absorption and/or increasing Pb excretion. The results obtained were summarized as follows ; 1) Weight gain, F.E.R liver weight, weight and length of bone in Pb-administered groups were lower than in Pb-free groups. However, these values in the 40% casein diet group with Pb were increased to the level in 15% casein diet group without Pb. 2) Hematocrt and hemoglobin content in blood were lower in Pb -adminstered groups than in Pb free groups. Especially, these levels were lower in 6% casein diet group with Pb than in any other group. 3) Plasma protein level in th e 40% casein casein diet group was the highest of all groups and those of Pb-administered groups tended to be lower than those of Pb-free groups. Plasma lipid and cholesterol levels were increased with decreasing dietary protein level, and these levels were higher in the animals exposed to Pb than in free groups.4) Total liver protein, lipid and cholesterol contents were increased with increasing dietary protein level, and these contents were lower in Pb-administered groups than in Pb free groups. 5) Fecal Pb excretion was not different between 6 and 40% casein diet groups. However, urinary Pb excretion was higher in the 40% casein diet group than in the 6% casein diet group. Above results suggest that, in exposing to the Pb pollution, sufficient protien intake must be recommended. High protein intake seemed to alleviate lead toxicity by increasing urinary Pb excretion.