Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Faecal Excretion Dynamic during Subacute Oral Exposure to Different Pb Species in Rattus norvegicus

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Faecal excretion is a basic means of detoxification upon ingestion of Pb-contaminated feed. In order to determine a time course of Pb elimination after oral exposure to two different forms of this heavy metal (lead acetate vs. phyto-bound Pb), a feeding study was carried out in experimental rats using the Pb phyto-hyperaccumulator Pistia stratiotes as a model diet. The effect of starvation on Pb excretion was further studied in rats that were fed plant material. Twelve Pb doses (7 μg Pb/1 g BW) were administered orally over a 5-week period. Faeces samples were collected 24 and 72 h post-exposure. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and electrothermal absorption spectrometry methods were used for determination of heavy metal concentrations. Up to 53 % of ingested Pb was rapidly eliminated from the exposed rats via faeces within 24 h after exposure. Faecal excretion in exposed rats differed significantly when compared to that of the control group. Fasting before exposure reduced Pb excretion by up to 50 %. Faecal excretions of both examined Pb forms exhibited almost identical patterns. Considerable differences were revealed concerning total excretion levels; lead acetate was excreted in amount greater extent than those of phytobound Pb. Results of our study suggest that Pb forms occurring in the P. stratiotes tissues are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract to a greater extent than Pb from lead acetate. Therefore, higher portions of ingested Pb can be available for potential accumulation in tissues of exposed subjects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. United Nations Environment Programme (2010) Annual report 2010. http://www.unep.org/annualreport/2010/pdfs/HARMFUL-SUBSTANCES.pdf. Accessed 30 June 2012

  2. Angelova VR, Ivanova RV, Todorov JM, Ivanov KI (2010) Lead, cadmium, zinc, and copper bioavailability in the soil–plant–animal system in a polluted Area. Scientific World J 10:273–285

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. WHO (2002) Lists of priority contaminants and commodity combinations. http://euro.who.int/foodsafety/Chemical/20020816_7WHO/EHC. Accessed 20 June 2012

  4. Wilkinson JM, Hill J, Phillips CJC (2003) The accumulation of potentially-toxic metals by grazing ruminants. Proc Nutr Soc 62(2):267–277

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Liu ZP (2003) Lead poisoning combined with cadmium in sheep and horses in the vicinity of non-ferrous metal smelters. Sci Tot Environ 309:117–126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Skalicka M, Korenekova B, Nad P (2002) Lead in livestock from polluted area. Trace Elem Electrolytes 19:94–96

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Mishra VK, Upadhyay AR, Pandey SK, Tripathi BD (2008) Concentration of heavy metals and nutrient in water sediments and aquatic macrophytes of GBP Sagar. Environ Monit Assess 141:49–58

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Prasad MNV, Freitas HMO (2003) Metal hyperaccumulation in plants—biodiversity prospecting for phytoremediation technology. Electron J Biotechnol 6(3):285–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Wu WB, Sun YL (2011) Dietary safety evaluation of water hyacinth leaf protein concentrate. Hum Exp Tox 30(10):1514–1520

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Ayoade GO, Sharma BH, Sridhar MKC (1982) Trials of Pistia stratiotes L. as animal feed. J Aquat Plant Manag 20(1):56–57

    Google Scholar 

  11. Espinoza-Quiñones F, Módenes A, Costa I, Palácio S, Szymanski N, Trigueros D, Kroumov A, Silva E (2009) Kinetics of lead bioaccumulation from a hydroponic medium by aquatic macrophytes Pistia stratiotes. Water Air Soil Pollut 203:29–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Odjegba VJ, Fasidi IO (2004) Accumulation of trace elements by Pistia stratiotes: implications for phytoremediation. Ecotoxicology 13(7):637–646

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Vesely T, Tlustos P, Szakova J (2011) Organic salts enhanced soil risk elements leaching and bioaccumulation in Pistia stratiotes. Plant Soil and Environment 57(4):166–172

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. O’Flaherty EJ (1993) Physiologically based models for bone-seeking elements. IV. Kinetics of lead disposition in humans. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 118:16–29

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Rabinowitz MB, Wetherill GW, Kopple JD (1976) Kinetic analysis of lead metabolism in healthy humans. J Clin Inves 58:260–270

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Kaushal D, Garg ML, Bansal MR, Bansal MP (1996) Biokinetics of lead in various organs of rats using radiotracer technique. Biol Trace Elem Res 53(1–3):249–260

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. O’Flaherty EJ, Inskip MJ, Yagminas AP, Franklin CA (1996) Plasma and blood lead concentrations, lead absorption, and lead excretion in nonhuman primates. Toxicol Appl Pharm 138(1):121–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Rabinowitz MB, Kopple JD, Wetherill GW (1980) Effect of food intake on fasting gastrointestinal lead absorption in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 33:1784–1788

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Arai F, Yamauchi H, Chiba K, Yoshida K (1998) Excretion of triethyllead, diethyllead and inorganic lead in rabbits after injection of triethyl neopentoxy lead. Ind Health 36(4):331–336

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Faix S, Faixova Z, Boldizarova K, Javorsky P (2005) The effect of long-term high heavy metal intake on lipid peroxidation of gastrointestinal tissue in sheep. Vet Med-Czech 50(9):401–405

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Parker GH, Hamr J (2001) Metal levels in body tissues, forage and fecal pellets of elk (Cervus elaphus) living near the ore smelters at Sudbury, Ontario. Environ Pollut 113(3):347–355

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Bersenyi A, Fekete S, Hullar I, Kadar I, Szilagyi M, Glavits R, Kulcsar M, Mezes M, Zoldag L (1999) Study of the soil–plant (carrot)–animal cycle of nutritive and hazardous minerals in a rabbit model. Acta Vet Hungar 47(2):181–190

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Fekete SG, Bersenyi A, Kadar I, Glavits R, Koncz J, Zoldag L (2001) Study of soil–plant (potato and beetroot)–animal cycle of nutritive and hazardous minerals in a rabbit model. Acta Vet Hungar 49(3):301–310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Castellino N, Aloj S (1964) Kinetics of the distribution and excretion of lead in the rat. Brit J Ind Med 21:308–314

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Gregus Z, Klaassen CD (1986) Disposition of metals in rats: a comparative study of fecal, urinary, and biliary excretion and tissue distribution of 18 metals. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 85:24–38

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Mader P, Száková J, Miholová D (1989) Classical dry ashing of biological and agricultural materials. Part II. Losses of analytes due to their retention in an insoluble residue. Analusis 26:121–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Farmer AA, Farmer UM (2000) Concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc in livestock feed and organs around a metal production centre in eastern Kazakhstan. Sci Tot Environ 257:53–60

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 May 2002 on undesirable substances in animal feed.

  29. National Research Council (1980) Recommended dietary allowances, 9th edn. National Academy Press, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  30. Hunder G, Javdani J, Elsenhans B, Schumann K (2000) Use of gamma-spectrometry for simultaneous determination of Pb-210, As-73, Cd-109, Hg-203 and Fe-59 distribution and excretion in rats. Toxicology 150(1–3):69–82

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Reeves PG, Vanderpool RA (1998) Organ content and fecal excretion of cadmium in male and female rats consuming variable amounts of naturally occurring cadmium in confectionery sunflower kernels (Helianthus annuus L). J Nutr Biochem 9(11):636–644

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Phillips CJC, Chiy PC, Zachou E (2005) Effects of cadmium in herbage on the apparent absorption of elements by sheep in comparison with inorganic cadmium added to their diet. Environ Res 99(2):224–234

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Aungst BJ, Doice JA, Fung HL (1981) The effect of dose on the disposition of lead in rats after intravenous and oral administration. Toxicol Appl Pharm 61:48–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Heard MJ, Chamberlain AC (1982) Effect of minerals and food on uptake of lead from the gastrointestinal tract in humans. Hum Toxicol 1:411–416

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Blake KCH, Barbezat GO, Mann M (1983) Effect of dietary constituents on the gastrointestinal absorption of 203 Pb in man. Environ Res 30:182–187

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Steinbaugh GE, Taylor RW, Pfeiffer DR (2007) Oral administration versus intra-peritoneal injection of Pb affects its concentration in selected rat tissues. Inorg Chem Commun 10(11):1371–1374

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Schat H, Llugany M, Vooijs R, Hartley-Whitaker J, Bleeker PM (2002) The role of phytochelatins in constitutive and adaptive heavy metal tolerances in hyperaccumulator and non-hyperaccumulator metallophytes. J Exp Bot 53(379):2381–2392

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Rascio N, Navari-Izzo F (2011) Heavy metal hyperaccumulating plants: how and why do they do it? And what makes them so interesting? Plant Science 180(2):169–181

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Callahan DL, Baker AJM, Kolev SD, Wedd AG (2006) Metal ion ligands in hyperaccumulating plants. J Biol Inorg Chem 11(1):2–12

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Sharma NC, Gardea-Torresdey JL, Parsons J, Sahi SV (2004) Chemical speciation and cellular deposition of lead in Sesbania drummondii. Environ Toxicol Chem 23(9):2068–2073

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Sarret G, Vangronsveld J, Manceau A, Musso M, D’Haen J, Menthonnex JJ, Hazemann JL (2001) Accumulation forms of Zn and Pb in Phaseolus vulgaris in the presence and absence of EDTA. Environ Sci Technol 35(13):2854–2859

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Garber BT, Wei E (1974) Influence of dietary factors on gastrointestinal absorption of lead. Toxicol Appl Pharm 27(3):685–691

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Barltrop D, Khoo HE (1975) Influence of nutritional factors on lead absorption. Postgrad Med J 51(601):795–800

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Brian Kavalir (Ontario, Canada) for his proofreading services.

Funding Source

This study was financially supported by the university-wide internal grant agency of the Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague no. 20112034.

Ethical Standards—Experimental Animals

All experiments with laboratory animals were conducted in compliance with the current laws of the Czech Republic Act No. 246/1992 coll. on Protection Animals against Cruelty and EC Directive 86/609/EEC. Animal care was supervised by authorised person: Zuzana Čadková, holder of the Central Commission for Animal Welfare Certificate no. CZ 00354.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 957, Prague 6, 165-21, Czech Republic

    Zuzana Čadková, Petr Válek, Jaroslav Vadlejch, Iva Langrová & Ivana Jankovská

  2. Department of Agroenvironmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 957, Prague 6, 165-21, Czech Republic

    Jiřina Száková

  3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 957, Prague 6, 165-21, Czech Republic

    Daniela Miholová

  4. Department of Stastistics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 957, Prague 6, 165-21, Czech Republic

    Zuzana Pacáková

Authors
  1. Zuzana Čadková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jiřina Száková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Daniela Miholová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Petr Válek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zuzana Pacáková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jaroslav Vadlejch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Iva Langrová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Ivana Jankovská
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ivana Jankovská.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Čadková, Z., Száková, J., Miholová, D. et al. Faecal Excretion Dynamic during Subacute Oral Exposure to Different Pb Species in Rattus norvegicus . Biol Trace Elem Res 152, 225–232 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-013-9609-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-013-9609-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation