Effect of lifetime low dose exposure to heavy metals on selected serum proteins of Wistar rats during three subsequent generations

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of exposure to low doses of lead, cadmium and mercury dissolved in drinking water (at a concentration 200-fold of maximum allowable concentration) on selected serum proteins of 120 Wistar rats during three subsequent generations. Animals were divided into four groups in all observed generation-control (C) and three experimental groups exposed to low doses of heavy metals (lead acetate in concentration 100 mu M; mercuric chloride in 1 mu M; cadmium chloride in 20 mu M of drinking water). We studied the biochemical parameters as well as total protein, albumin, transferrin and ferritin in the serum. Exposure to lead and mercury shortened life span, decreased body weight of the animals in each generation whereas cadmium had no such effect. Total protein increased after exposure to lead and mercury (P < 0.001), albumin increased after exposure to lead and mercury in 1st filial and 2nd filial generation (P < 0.05) and insignificantly decreased after exposure to cadmium in parental and 1st filial generation. Transferrin and ferritin increased in all exposed groups and generations (P < 0.05). Transferrin and ferritin are good markers for intoxication of rats with heavy metals. For the results evaluation, not only data at the end of experiment should be taken into account, but entire duration of trials (i.e., more time steps), which makes results more objective. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.