Hematological effects of arsenic in rats after subchronical exposure during pregnancy and lactation: the protective role of antioxidants.

Free radicals production is involved in the toxicity of arsenic. The aim of this study was to determine whether biochemical changes occurred in the blood of arsenic-exposed pups during gestation and lactation, and additionally to investigate the potential beneficial role of the administration of certain antioxidants against arsenic exposure damage. Pregnant wistar rats received the following treatments as drinking water: (1) distilled water; (2) arsenic (50 mg/L); (3) antioxidants: zinc (20 mg/L)+vitamin C (2 g/L)+vitamin E (500 mg/L); (4) arsenic (50 mg/L)+antioxidants: zinc (20 mg/L)+vitamin C (2 g/L)+vitamin E (500 mg/L).

Natural antioxidants protect against cadmium-induced damage during pregnancy and lactation in rats' pups.

Free-radicals production is involved in the toxicity of cadmium. The aim of this study was to determine whether biochemical changes occurred in the liver and kidney of cadmium exposed pups during gestation and lactation, and additionally to investigate the potential beneficial role of the administration of certain antioxidants against cadmium exposure damage. Pregnant Wistar rats received the following treatments as drinking water: (1) Distilled water; (2) Cadmium (10 mg/L); (3) Cadmium + Zinc (20 mg/L) + vitamins A (50000 U/L), C (2 g/L), E (500 mg/L), and B(6) (500 mg/L); (4) Vitamins + Zinc solution.

Natural antioxidants protect against lead-induced damage during pregnancy and lactation in rat's pups.

The aim of this study was to add further evidence to the biochemical changes produced in lead-exposed pups and to investigate the potential role of natural antioxidants against the lead-induced damage. Pregnant Wistar rats received treatments with drinking water, divided into four groups, as follows: (1) distilled water; (2) lead (300mg/L); (3) lead+Zn (20mg/L)+vitamins A (50,000U/L), C (2g/L), E (500mg/L) and B(6) (500mg/L); and (4) vitamins+Zn solution. We found a significant decrease in haemoglobin and haematocrit values as well and an increase in haemolysis among lead-exposed pups.

Toxic effects of perinatal lead exposure on the brain of rats: involvement of oxidative stress and the beneficial role of antioxidants.

The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in the activities of antioxidant enzymes occur in the brain of lead-exposed rats (300mgPb/L in drinking water) and to investigate the potential benefit of the administration of some natural antioxidants (Zn 20mg/L+vitamins A 50.000U/L, C 2g/L, E 500mg/L and B6 500mg/L) during pregnancy and lactation. Lead exposure caused a significant increase in brain TBARS (23%) vs.