Protective role of flax lignans against lead acetate induced oxidative damage and hyperlipidemia in rats.

The results showed that the lead concentration was higher than Cr, Ni and Cd in roadside soil samples. Also, the present study was conducted to investigate the protective role of flax lignans against the effects of lead acetate on oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile. Animals were divided into three groups; the first group was used as control. While, groups 2, and 3 were orally treated with 200 mg/L lead acetate in drinking water and the combination of lead acetate (200 mg/L) plus flax lignans (30 mg/100 g BW), respectively. Rats were administered their respective doses daily for 3 weeks. Results showed that lead acetate increased TBARS, and decreased the activities of GST, SOD, GR and CAT, and the contents of glutathione in liver extracts, compared to control. The present data indicated that total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-c were significantly increased by lead acetate treatment, while HDL-c levels were decreased in the serum and liver extracts. Animals treated with flax lignans in combination with lead acetate alleviated its toxic effects in the tested parameters. Also, the morph metric analysis of the dorsal aorta revealed that, the histological alterations induced after lead acetate treatments were markedly reduced.