Neurochemical changes in rats coexposed to lead and copper.

Rats were coexposed to lead (Pb) and Copper (Cu) through drinking water and intraperitoneally, respectively, for a period of 21 days. Neurochemical studies in these rats showed significant reduction in the activity of adenosine triphosphatase, cytochrome-c-oxidase, diaphorase and in the levels of biogenic amines in the rats simultaneously exposed to the two metals compared to either of the metal alone. These neurotoxic effects were not related to the contents of either of the metals in the brain since their accumulation after combined exposure was much less than observed after individual exposure to Pb or Cu.