Effect of glycine on lead mobilization,lead-induced oxidative stress,and hepatic toxicity in rats

The effectiveness of glycine in treating experimental lead intoxication was examined in rats. male wistar rats were exposed to 3g/l lead acetate in drinking water for 5 weeks and treated thereafter with glycine (100 and 500mg/kg,orally) once daily for 5days or glycine (1000mg/kg,orally) once daily for 28days. the effect of these treatments on parameters indicative of oxidative stress (glutathione and malondialdehyde levels),the activity of blood δ -aminolevulinic acid dehydratase,and lead concentration in blood,liver,kidney,brain,and bone were investigated. liver samples were observed for histopathological changes. glycine was found to be effective in (1) increasing glutathione levels; (2) reducing malondialdehyde levels; (3) decreasing lead levels in bone with the highest dose. however,glycine had no effect on lead mobilization when 100 and 500mg/kg glycine were administered. in microscopic examination,glycine showed a protective effect against lead intoxication. copyright © 2011 yolanda alcaraz-contreras et al.