Dielectric ionic conductivity as a biomarker for lead chelation using nano-ZnO/CMC in albino rats

This study evaluates dielectric conductivity as a diagnostic tool for assessing lead (Pb) levels in albino rats. It also investigated the ameliorative potentials of nano-ZnO-capped sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (nZnO/CMC).

The synthesis of nZnO/CMC was carried out using the co-precipitation technique. The average crystallite size obtained from X-ray diffraction measurements is 33 nm. The effect of Pb induced toxicity was evaluated using four groups of six albino rats each, administered with Pb for 61 days. Haematological results show decreasing trends in packed cell volume, red blood and white blood cell counts, and haemoglobin concentration with Pb administration, indicating anaemia.

Upon nZnO/CMC administration, both haematological and erythrocyte surface sialic acids parameters were restored, suggesting that nZnO/CMC has Pb chelating capabilities. Toxicity studies revealed nZnO/CMC to be non-toxic to tissues below 2000 mg/kg body weight per os. Dielectric conductivity of normal and exposed blood samples measured between 200 Hz and 4 MHz shows dominance of ionic conductivity; highest for Pb-exposed samples and lowest for the normal/control sample. It also showed a decreasing trend for samples treated with nZnO/CMC at 100 and 200 mg/kg.

This work strongly correlates changes in dielectric ionic conductivity with haematological/Pb exposure concentration, suggesting that dielectric ionic conductivity of blood is a promising biomarker for Pb-exposed animals.