Cardiotoxicity and hypertension in rats after oral lead exposure

The rats were exposed to lead (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 per cent lead acetate through drinking water) for 90 days to study its effect on some physiological and morphological parameters of the cardiovascular system. Blood lead levels increased in a dose dependent manner but heart tissue showed rise at only two higher doses in exposed animals. The two higher doses of lead resulted in an increased arterial blood pressure and calcium influx in atrial trabeculae and papillary muscles. No marked pathological or histochemical changes were observed in heart tissue excepting congestion and slightly reduced activity of succinic dehydrogenase in the highest dosed group. It was concluded that lead exposure through drinking water may produce increased arterial blood pressure and minor changes in the myocardium. Whether these changes are mediated through the effect of lead on the calcium transport needs further investigation.