Alteration of sodium and potassium mobilization and of adrenal function by long-term ingestion of lead.

Serum sodium concentration was markedly decreased by long-term (12 weeks) ingestion of lead above 5 mg Pb . kg-1 . day-1, whereas serum potassium concentration was notably decreased by the long-term (12 weeks) ingestion of lead above 2 mg Pb . kg-1. Urinary sodium and potassium in fasted rats were increased markedly 24 hr after a single lead dose (200 mg Pb/kg, o.p.) [Y. Suketa, S. Hasegawa and T. Yamamoto, Toxic. appl. Pharmac. 47, 203 (1979)]. In contrast, urinary excretion of sodium or potassium in non-fasted rats was not changed significantly by 2 weeks of lead ingestion at 200 mg Pb . kg-1 . day-1. Renal activities of Na+, K+-ATPase and K+-dependent phosphatase were decreased to 50-70% of control values by long-term (12 weeks) ingestion of lead (above 5 mg Pb . kg-1 . day-1).