Comparative effects of experimental lead poisoning on enzymatic activities of kidney and liver in rat.

Rats were fed for 6 months with 0.1% lead acetate diet. At the end of the intoxication period urinary levels of ALA and lead were comparable with the usual urinary levels of chronically lead exposed humans. In kidney homogenates of poisoned rats succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase were unmodified, malate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase were decreased, while Dt diaphorase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were greatly increased compared with controls. In liver homogenates of the same poisoned animals no alteration of the enzymatic activities was observed.