Histopathological changes induced in rat tissues by oral intake of lead acetate

In the present study an attempt has been made to observe the pathological alterations brought about in the intestine, liver, and kidney of lead-intoxicated rats. A short-term exposure to a sublethal dose of lead (44 mg/kg body wt/day) is seen to cause conspicuous degenerative changes in the three tissues. The intestinal mucosal epithelium is affected which leads to malabsorption, while in the kidney proximal tubular cells degenerate causing secretion of essential materials such as glucose, amino acids, etc., in the urine.