Protective Role of Different Doses of Ascorbic Acid Against Harmful Effects of Lead in Liver, Kidney and Brain in Male Rats

Abstract
 
Ascorbic acid (AA) is one of the most potent antioxidants that interacts directly with the oxidizing radicals and protects the cells from reactive oxygen species. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the beneficial effect of different level of (AA) that can protect liver, kidney and brain from harmful effects of lead in male rats. Fifty male albino rats with  average body weight 180 g were assigned into five equal groups; control group (received tap water only), lead group (received 0.2% lead acetate /kg BW) and the other three groups (received 500, 1000 and 1500 mg ascorbic acid along with 0.2%lead acetate /kg BW), respectively. Doses were orally administered every day for 8weeks.The results showed that lead acetate significantly (P<0.05), increased transaminases and Phosphatasesin plasma and decreased in liver. Lead acetate increased urea and creatinine and decreased bilirubin.Furthermore, the presence of AA with lead acetate alleviates its toxic effects.The best effect was found with the high level of AA (1500mg/kg BW).Histopathology examination showed that; the presence of AAcaused improvement in the histopathological changes caused by lead acetate. From the present study, it can be concluded thatAA is capable to alleviate the harmful effects of lead and highly recommended  increasing the daily intake of AA  either from food (high source of AA) or from supplementation