Ameliorative Effect of L-Arginine as Antioxidant Agent on Hematological and Testicular Functions in Lead-Induced Toxicity in Male Rats

Aims: The present study aimed to elucidate the protective role of L-Arginine on lead – induced suppression of the pathway of heme synthesis and the toxicity of lead on testis.

Methodology: The current study included two experiments; the first was carried out on two groups to follow up the changes that could occur in iron status and reproductive system of male rats because of the lead exposure. The second experiment, three comparisons were made between three groups of rats with lead treatment only and other three groups rats with lead treatment followed by additional of daily injection of L-Arginine intraperitoneal about 500 mg L-Arginine / kg.b.wt. / day for 10, 20 and 30 days after the end of lead treatment.

Results: Lead significantly abolished heme synthesis presented by decrease in Hb, Fe and ceruloplasmin (Cp) and elevation in total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and serum ferritin. Furthermore, testosterone (total and free) significantly decreased after rats treated with 1% lead acetate while, estradiol (E2) and acid phosphatase (total and prostatic) were elevated. The concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphat (DHEA-S) did not change after lead treatment.

Conclusion: Daily treatment with 500 mg L-Arginine/kg body weight prevented the suppressive effects of lead on hematological parameters and testicular functions. The mechanism of L-Arginine action on lead induced changes was attributed to protection of antioxidant capacity in cells in addition to the ability of L-Arginine to scavenge free radicals and acts as cell membrane stabilizer.