The effects of combined exposure to lead and
cadmium on
granulose cells were studied. Adult female rats were treated i.p. with either
lead acetate (LA) or
cadmium acetate (CA) both, alone, or in combination at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg
body weight on a daily basis for 15 days. Both metals were accumulated in the ovary after
metal exposure.
Metal exposure caused a decrease in
reduced glutathione content along with elevated lipid peroxidation in all groups.
Granulose cells of both
cadmium as well as combination group demonstrated a maximum increase in
lipid peroxides and
catalase activity, along with decreased
glutathione status and
superoxide dismutase activities. Combined treated animals exhibited an intermediate effect in
antioxidant status. However, "in vitro" exposure showed no significant change in
antioxidant enzymes in all
metal exposed cells. Data from the present study indicates that lead and
cadmium in isolation and in combination cause oxidative stress. Lead and
cadmium in combination do not show additive or synergistic effect indicating the competition between them due to similarity in electronic affinities. Present study highlights the effects of toxic metals that disturb membrane integrity of cells via ROS and thereby classifying mechanism for altered receptor binding, steroidogenesis, and
hormone production.