Lead Dosage and the Role of the Intranuclear Inclusion Body

Abstract

Biological parameters known to be affected in lead poisoning were measured in rats following ingestion of graded dosages of lead. Intranuclear inclusion bodies are formed in renal tubular lining cells with smaller doses of lead than produce other changes. Decreased body weight is the next most sensitive abnormality. This is followed by increased delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) excretion, reticulocytosis, renal edema, and aminoaciduria. Anemia only occurs at the highest lead dosage. Over a wide range of lead ingestion, urinary lead excretion remains constant, although renal lead content increases. Quantitative lead analyses of cell organelles show that lead is concentrated within the inclusion bodies. Relatively small amounts of lead are present in the cytoplasm and mitochondria. It is suggested that soft-tissue lead accumulates in the intranuclear inclusion body, thereby sparing toxic injury to cytoplasmic organelles.