Effects of Lead Exposure on Growth and Bone Biology in Growing Rats Exposed to Simulated High Altitude

• Published in: Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 88; no. 6; pp. 1033 - 1037
• Main Authors: Conti, María Inés, Terrizzi, Antonela R., Lee, Ching Ming, Mandalunis, Patricia M., Bozzini, Clarisa, Piñeiro, Adriana E., Martínez, María del Pilar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.06.2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Absorption; Altitude; Animals; Aquatic Pollution; Body weight; Bone and Bones - drug effects; Bone and Bones - physiology; Bone Development - drug effects; Bones; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; Female; Growth and Development - drug effects; Hypoxia; Lead; Lead - toxicity; Lead poisoning; Physical growth; Pollution; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rodents; Soil Science & Conservation; Toxicity; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Simulated high altitude; Rats; Lead poisoning
• ISSN: 0007-4861; 1432-0800
• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-012-0602-2

The existence of children living at high altitude suffering from lead (Pb) poisoning prompted us to investigate the long term effects of this pollutant on growth and bone biology in growing rats maintained at simulated high altitude (SHA). Pb and hypoxia (HX) significantly reduced body weight (−9.4 % and −24 %; p  < 0.01) and length (−3 % and −8 %; p  < 0.01); decreased femoral ultimate load (−16 % and −40 %; p  < 0.01) and femoral energy absorption capacity (−18 % and −74 %; p  < 0.01). Oral pathologic alterations were observed in experimental groups. Our findings revealed growth retardation and damages on femoral and mandibular bones that predispose to fractures.