Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

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Background and Objective: Lead (pb) is an environmental toxicant which can induce structural and functional abnormalities in central nervous system, specially in young children.
Materials and Methods:  In this experimental study, we evaluated the toxic effects of lead on human fetal astrocyte cells. At the first stage, the growth inhibition effects of short and long term exposure to lead were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Furthermore, the effect of Foetal Calf Serum (FCS) on lead toxicity was evaluated by above method. At the second stage, we applied immunocytochemistry (ICC) to analysis the effects of lead on the expression of stress related bax gene.
Results: The lead toxicity was observed at a concentration of>1mM (p=0.000). Continuous lead exposure also (250 and 500 µM for 7 days) caused a significant growth inhibition (p<0.01) of astroastes. The results showed the protective effect of  FCS against lead toxicity. Lead exposure also induced bax gene expression.
Conclusion: These results show that lead may disturb the function of astrocytes and therefore and may interfere with development of fetal nervous system.
Key words: Lead Acetate, Cytotoxicity, Astrocyte, Bax, Immunocytochemistry, MTT Assay
 

Funding: This research was funded by Kerman Neuroscience Research Center.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Kerman Medical University approved the study.
 

Keywords: Lead Acetate, Cytotoxicity, Astrocyte, Bax, Immunocytochemistry, MTT Assay

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