Interrelationship between iron deficiency and lead intoxication (Part 2).

The influence of dietary iron deficiency, lead exposure or their combination on certain enzymes, and the accumulation of Pb and essential metal levels in vital organs of rats was investigated. Iron deficiency caused alterations in the activity of muscle, hepatic and renal succinate dehydrogenase, and hepatic mitochondrial succinate cytochrome c reductase, whereas Pb exposure had no influence on these enzymes. There was no synergistic effect of the two factors on the activity of the enzymes. However, feeding of a Fe-deficient diet during Pb exposure enhanced the accumulation of Pb in soft tissues and flat bones. The hepatic copper and zinc levels were lowered upon either feeding a Fe-deficient diet or Pb exposure. However, the synergistic effect of the two factors was evident in hepatic Cu, but not in hepatic Zn. The feeding of a Fe-deficient diet decreased liver, kidney, and spleen levels of Fe, whereas Pb exposure decreased kidney and spleen Fe. The synergistic influence of the two factors could be observed only in liver and kidney.