Ultrastructural changes in the kidneys of rabbits treated with lead acetate

Electron microscopical studies were carried out on the kidneys of rabbits given s.c. injections of 0 (control), 0.25 or 0.50 mg lead acetate/kg b.w. 3 times a week during 14 weeks. At the end of the experimental period the animals had lead blood levels of 60, 500 and 600 micrograms/l whole blood respectively. Treatment-related renal changes were found in the proximal tubules; they consisted of a dose-related increase in the amount of lysosomes in epithelial cells of the convoluted part, and of severely damaged cells and loss of brush border in the straight part. There was also an increase in lysosomal tubular inclusions, which are considered characteristic of lysosomes of the proximal tubular cells of the rabbit kidney. The significance of these findings for assessing the risk of occupational exposure to lead is briefly discussed.