Ameliorative effects of nutritional minerals on lead-induced hematological alterations in male Wistar albino rats

The deficiency of essential minerals increases lead absorption and thus aggravates the lead-induced toxic effects. This study was aimed at understanding the ameliorative effect of essential minerals on lead-induced alterations in hematological parameters in rats. To achieve this objective, the study was conducted in 320 male Wistar albino rats, grouped into two, with equal numbers. One of the groups of rats was fed on a mineral-supplemented food referred to as a ‘well-nourished group’ and another group ‘undernourished group’ on food without mineral supplements. Each group of rats was further subdivided into ‘Subjects’ and ‘Controls.’ Subjects of both the groups of rats were exposed to 500 ppm lead acetate up to a period of 300 days (10 months) in drinking water and the role of minerals on lead-induced alterations in hematological parameters was evaluated. A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in hemoglobin (Hb) and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) levels and a significant increase (p < 0.001) in urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid (δ-ALAU) levels were seen in subjects without mineral supplementation compared to those fed on a mineral-enriched diet. A positive correlation was observed between blood lead levels (PbB) and δ-ALAU (r = 0.792) and a negative correlation with Hb (r = −0.926) and δ-ALAD (r = −0.836) in the subjects. These changes were very prominent in the undernourished subjects when compared to the well-nourished subjects. Observations of the present study indicate that mineral supplementation with ongoing lead exposure may help in minimizing the absorption of lead and reduce lead-induced toxic effects.