Buscar en
Porto Biomedical Journal
Toda la web
Inicio Porto Biomedical Journal Intermittent low-level lead exposure causes anxiety and cardiorespiratory impair...
Journal Information
Vol. 2. Issue 5.
Pages 229-230 (September - October 2017)
Share
Share
Download PDF
More article options
Vol. 2. Issue 5.
Pages 229-230 (September - October 2017)
PS217
Open Access
Intermittent low-level lead exposure causes anxiety and cardiorespiratory impairment
Visits
1351
L. Shvachiy1,
Corresponding author
shvachiy.liana@gmail.com

Corresponding author.
, V. Geraldes1,2, Â. Amaro-Leal1, I. Rocha1,2
1 Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
2 Instituto de Fisiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
This item has received

Under a Creative Commons license
Article information
Full Text

Aim: To characterize behavioural and cardiorespiratory changes in a new, intermittent low-level lead exposure animal model.

Introduction: Lead (Pb) is a cumulative toxic metal affecting all body systems that are particularly vulnerable during developmental phase. Permanent lead exposure has been defined as a cause of behavioural changes, cognitive impairment, sympathoexcitation, tachycardia, hypertension and autonomic dysfunction. However, no studies have been performed to describe a new, intermittent low-level lead exposure profile, that has been increased in the past years.

Methods: Foetuses were intermittently (PbI) exposed to water containing lead acetate (0.2%, w/v) throughout life until adulthood (28 weeks of age). A control group (without exposure, CTL), matching in age and sex was used. At 26 weeks, behavioural tests were performed for anxiety (Elevated Plus Maze Test) and locomotor activity (Open Field Test) assessment. Blood pressure (BP), electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate (HR) and respiratory frequency (RF) rates were recorded at 28 weeks of age. Baroreflex gain (BRG) and chemoreflex sensitivity (ChS) were calculated. Student's T-test was used (significance p<0.05) for statistical analysis.

Results: An intermittent lead exposure causes hypertension (increased diastolic and mean BP), increased RF, decreased baroreflex function and increased ChS, without significant changes in HR, when compared to CTL group. Regarding behavioral changes, the intermittent lead exposure model showed an anxiety-like behaviour without changes in locomotor activity.

Conclusion: Intermittent low-level lead exposure induces changes on the cardiorespiratory profile characterized by hypertension, carotid chemosensitivity and baroreflex impairment. According to behavioural tests results, this study also shows that the exposure to lead during developmental phases causes anxiety in adult animals without locomotor activity impairment.

In summary, this study brings new insights on the environmental factors that influence nervous and cardiovascular systems during development, which can help creating public policy strategies to prevent and control the adverse effects of Pb toxicity.

Article options
Tools
es en pt

¿Es usted profesional sanitario apto para prescribir o dispensar medicamentos?

Are you a health professional able to prescribe or dispense drugs?

Você é um profissional de saúde habilitado a prescrever ou dispensar medicamentos