Bernhard K. Keppler

Lead (Pb) is a highly toxic heavy metal that has deleterious effects on the central nervous system. This study aimed to investigate the effects of salinomycin (Sal) and deferiprone (DFP) on brain morphology and on the content of some essential elements in Pb-exposed mice. Adult male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were exposed to a daily dose of 80 mg/kg body weight ( b.w.) Pb(II) nitrate for 14 days and subsequently treated with Sal (16 mg/kg b.w.) or DFP (19 mg/kg b.w.) for another 14 days. At the end of the experimental protocol, the brains were processed for histological and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses. Pb exposure resulted in a 50-fold increase in Pb concentration, compared with controls. Magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P) were also significantly increased by 22.22% and 17.92%, respectively. The histological analysis of Pb-exposed mice revealed brain pathological changes with features of neuronal necrosis. Brain Pb level remained significantly elevated in Sal- and DFP-administered groups (37-fold and 50-fold, respectively), compared with untreated controls. Treatment with Sal significantly reduced Mg and P concentrations by 22.56% and 18.38%, respectively, compared with the Pb-exposed group. Administration of Sal and DFP ameliorated brain injury in Pb-exposed mice and improved histological features. The results suggest the potential application of Sal and DFP for treatment of Pb-induced neurotoxicity.