Effect of lead on certain aspects of protein metabolism.

Administration of lead acetate (3.4 mg/100 g of body weight) by daily intraperitoneal route for 4 days in albino rats caused an increase in size of the liver and kidney. There was diminution of the protein content of the liver. Concentration of DNA decreased to a slight extent and protein/DNA ratio remained unaltered in liver and kidney. There was elevation of the concentration of RNA in both the organs. Protein/RNA ratio was reduced. RNA per unit amount of DNA was found to be increased and the activities of RNase and DNase in both the organs were reduced. There was also diminution of plasma protein level. The possible significance of these changes has been discussed.