X-RAY-FLUORESCENCE IN THE ASSESSMENT OF INTER-ELEMENTAL INTERACTIONS IN RAT-LIVER FOLLOWING LEAD TREATMENT

Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique was employed to study t he interactions of lead (50 and 100 mg/kg body wt) with K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br and Rb in rat liver, Lead was administered orally to rats daily fo r dosage periods of 1 and 4 months (short and long terms). Hepatic Fe levels were found to increase significantly with the supplementation o f low and high doses of lead for both the treatment periods, although the increase was more pronounced following long-term treatment, The le vels of hepatic K, Cu and Br were seen to decrease significantly over both time intervals, Moreover, hepatic Rb contents were lowered with t he short-term supplementation of low doses of lead, In contrast, Rb an d Zn levels were increased when lead was administered for the longer p eriod at both dose levels.