Attenuation of lead neurotoxicity by supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acid in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Among various types of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in development and function of the brain. This study was undertaken to investigate the possible neuroprotective efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid on lead-induced neurotoxicity in rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out on 32 male Wistar rats divided into four groups. The first group (control) was treated with distilled water and second group with lead acetate at the doses of 3 mg/kg b.wt. (body weight)/oral, whereas third and fourth groups were simultaneously treated with lead acetate (3 mg/kg b.wt.) plus omega-3 fatty acid (300 mg/kg b.wt./oral) and lead acetate (3 mg/kg b.wt.) plus vitamin E (100 mg/kg b.wt./oral), respectively, for a period of 90 days. Their biochemical and histopathological investigations have been carried out.

RESULTS: The level of lead was markedly elevated in brain (4.71-fold) and blood (5.65-fold), also increased levels of ROS, GSH, LPO with concomitant reduction in the activities of delta-ALAD, CAT, SOD, and GPx. In addition, lead-induced brain damage was indicated by histopathological changes. Omega-3 fatty acid resulted in marked improvement in most of the biochemical parameters as well as histopathological changes in rats. The results obtained were compared with vitamin E as the standard antioxidant agents.

DISCUSSION: Omega-3 fatty acid significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the effect of lead-induced brain damage as well as biochemical changes similar to that of standard drug, vitamin E. So, our result suggested that omega-3 fatty acid may play a protective role in lead-induced neurotoxicity and associated human health risk.