Effect of Fucoidan on Lead and the Content of Mineral Elements in Lead-poisoned Rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of fucoidan on lead and the content of calcium,zinc,copper and iron in rats with lead poisoning. Methods:A rat model of lead poisoning was established by oral administration with lead acetate solution. Health rats were randomly divided into six groups:normal control,model,positive groups and low,medium,high-dose(50,100,200 mg/kg)fucoidan groups. After continuously oral administration to rats for 8 weeks,all the animals were sacrificed,the contents of Pb and mineral elements in blood and vital organs of rats were determined. Results:Compared with the normal control group,in addition to brain tissue,lead content in blood and vital organs of the model group increased significantly(P<0.01),and calcium,zinc and iron elements were seriously lost. Compared with the model group,the content of lead in blood,liver and kidney of rats in the medium and high dose fucoidan group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the loss rate of calcium and zinc elements was reduced.The copper content in kidneys of the model group increased by 9.14%,there was no significant difference when compared with the control group(P>0.05),which indicated that lead exposure did not negatively affect copper homeostasis in kidneys,but the intake of positive drugs after lead exposure resulted in severe loss of copper in kidneys compared with the control group,and the content dropped by 54.46%. Conclusion:The results confirmed that lead exposure can cause serious loss of calcium,zinc and iron in blood and vital organs of rats. The intake of fucoidan can effectively promote the chelating effect of lead in vivo and improve the homeostasis imbalance of mineral elements in lead-poisoned rats. Moreover,its high dose has a better protective effect on bone and liver compared with other doses.