Lead-induced regional lipid peroxidation in brain.

Rats exposed to lead (2% lead acetate in drinking water for a period of 10 days) showed altered levels of phospholipids, lipid peroxide and lead ions. Lead ion concentrations were significantly increased in all brain regions with a maximum retention in the spinal cord and cerebellum. The cerebral cortex showed a higher percent elevation of lead ions as compared to the other areas of the brain. The phospholipid contents were significantly depressed in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and spinal cord. Subsequently, the rate of lipid peroxidation has been enhanced in all brain regions following toxicosis. Increased rate of lipid peroxidation and decreased levels of phospholipids followed the similar rank order as that of increasing lead concentration was spinal cord, cerebellum, cerebral cortex and brain stem after lead intoxication.