Effect of carbohydrates on lead absorption and retention in weanling rats

This study was designed to determine the effect of corn starch, lactose, and sucrose on lead (Pb) absorption and retention in rat tissues and organs. Seventy weanling Wistar male rats were assigned to the following five treatment groups: Group 1, 31.2% sucrose + 29.3% starch; Group 2, 31.2% lactose + 29.3% starch; Group 3, 60% corn starch (control); Group 4, 52.1% sucrose + 8.4% starch; Group 5, 52.1% lactose + 8.4% starch. All diets were supplemented with 200 ppm lead nitrate. The animals were fed the experimental diets for 8 weeks after which they were sacrificed. Analysis of lead in whole blood, bone (tibia and femur), carcass ash, and gut (alimentary canal) was done by atomic absorption spectrophotometric (AAS) technique. Results indicated that lactose in the diet caused increased lead retention by these tissues. Pb concentration was highest in blood (500% of the control) and bone (433% of control) of animals fed the Group 5 diet with the second highest level for the tissues of rats fed the Group 2 diet. Rats fed the high lactose diet showed the lowest weight gain and those fed the low sucrose diet showed the highest weight gain. The sucrose diets caused increased Pb in bone. In rats fed the sucrose diets, the Pb content of feces was greater than the value in rats fed the corn starch diet. The results of this study show that lactose has a higher stimulatory effect on Pb retention than sucrose.