Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Environmental Health Perspectives logoLink to Environmental Health Perspectives
. 1987 Aug;73:209–214. doi: 10.1289/ehp.8773209

Seasonal changes in lead absorption in laboratory rats.

J C Barton 1, W J Huster 1
PMCID: PMC1474564  PMID: 3665864

Abstract

A retrospective study of the relationship of season to the absorption of radiolead in laboratory rats was performed using data representing 305 animals from 36 experiments over 6 calendar years. Male Wistar rats weighing 200 to 250 g were given 1 microgram of radiolabeled lead in an aqueous solution, pH 4.0, in isolated small intestine, and absorption of the radiolead was quantified after a 4-hour interval using whole-body counting. Similar values of absorption occurred in the summer (June-August) and fall (September-November), 20.51 +/- 1.11% (1 SEM) and 23.0 +/- 1.23% of the test dose, respectively, but significantly lower values occurred in the winter (December-February) and spring (March-May): 16.51 +/- 0.77%, p less than 0.01, and 11.87 +/- 0.99%, p less than 0.01, respectively. Harmonic analysis yielded an excellent approximation of the mean quarterly absorption data. The resulting cosine function had a period of 4.08 +/- 0.05 quarter-years with an amplitude of 7.32 +/- 1.06%; predicted peak absorption values fell precisely between summer and fall. The relationships of these observations to possible mechanisms of lead absorption and to summertime epidemics of lead poisoning in children are discussed.

Full text

PDF
209

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Aungst B. J., Fung H. L. Intestinal lead absorption in rats: effects of circadian rhythm, food, undernourishment, and drugs which alter gastric emptying and GI motility. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol. 1981 Dec;34(3):515–530. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. BAETJER A. M. Effects of season and temperature on childhood plumbism. Ind Med Surg. 1959 Mar;28(3):137–143. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. BENSON P. F. Influence of climatic factors on blood lead levels in children with pica. Guys Hosp Rep. 1962;111:306–312. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Barton J. C. Active transport of lead-210 by everted segments of rat duodenum. Am J Physiol. 1984 Aug;247(2 Pt 1):G193–G198. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1984.247.2.G193. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Barton J. C., Conrad M. E. Effect of phosphate on the absorption and retention of lead in the rat. Am J Clin Nutr. 1981 Oct;34(10):2192–2198. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/34.10.2192. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Barton J. C., Conrad M. E. Effects of ethanol on the absorption and retention of lead. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1978 Nov;159(2):213–218. doi: 10.3181/00379727-159-40317. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Barton J. C., Conrad M. E., Harrison L., Nuby S. Effects of calcium on the absorption and retention of lead. J Lab Clin Med. 1978 Mar;91(3):366–376. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Barton J. C., Conrad M. E., Harrison L., Nuby S. Effects of vitamin D on the absorption and retention of lead. Am J Physiol. 1980 Feb;238(2):G124–G130. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.1980.238.2.G124. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Barton J. C., Conrad M. E., Holland R. Iron, lead, and cobalt absorption: similarities an dissimilarities. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1981 Jan;166(1):64–69. doi: 10.3181/00379727-166-41025. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Barton J. C., Conrad M. E., Nuby S., Harrison L. Effects of iron on the absorption and retention of lead. J Lab Clin Med. 1978 Oct;92(4):536–547. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Blanksma L. A., Sachs H. K., Murray E. F., O'Connell M. J. Incidence of high blood lead levels in Chicago children. Pediatrics. 1969 Nov;44(5):661–667. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Brainard G. C., Petterborg L. J., Richardson B. A., Reiter R. J. Pineal melatonin in syrian hamsters: circadian and seasonal rhythms in animals maintained under laboratory and natural conditions. Neuroendocrinology. 1982 Nov;35(5):342–348. doi: 10.1159/000123405. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Chesney R. W., Rosen J. F., Hamstra A. J., Smith C., Mahaffey K., DeLuca H. F. Absence of seasonal variation in serum concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D despite a rise in 25-hydroxyvitamin D in summer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1981 Jul;53(1):139–142. doi: 10.1210/jcem-53-1-139. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Cikrt M., Tichý M. Role of bile in intestinal absorption of 203Pb in rats. Experientia. 1975 Nov 15;31(11):1320–1321. doi: 10.1007/BF01945804. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Conrad M. E., Barton J. C. Factors affecting the absorption and excretion of lead in the rat. Gastroenterology. 1978 Apr;74(4):731–740. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. DOWDLE E. B., SCHACHTER D., SCHENKER H. Active transport of Fe59 by everted segments of rat duodenum. Am J Physiol. 1960 Mar;198:609–613. doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1960.198.3.609. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Edelstein S., Fullmer C. S., Wasserman R. H. Gastrointestinal absorption of lead in chicks: involvement of the cholecalciferol endocrine system. J Nutr. 1984 Apr;114(4):692–700. doi: 10.1093/jn/114.4.692. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Flanagan P. R., Hamilton D. L., Haist J., Valberg L. S. Interrelationships between iron and lead absorption in iron-deficient mice. Gastroenterology. 1979 Nov;77(5):1074–1081. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Harding D. H., Rauch J. C. Seasonally-related physiological and behavioural changes in captive Richardson's ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsoni). Comp Biochem Physiol A Comp Physiol. 1983;74(2):363–367. doi: 10.1016/0300-9629(83)90616-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Huebers H. A., Huebers E., Csiba E., Rummel W., Finch C. A. The significance of transferrin for intestinal iron absorption. Blood. 1983 Feb;61(2):283–290. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Hunter J. M. The summer disease. An integrative model of the seasonality aspects of childhood lead poisoning. Soc Sci Med. 1977 Nov;11(14-16):691–703. doi: 10.1016/0037-7856(77)90155-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Juttmann J. R., Visser T. J., Buurman C., de Kam E., Birkenhäger J. C. Seasonal fluctuations in serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in normal subjects. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981 Apr 25;282(6273):1349–1352. doi: 10.1136/bmj.282.6273.1349. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. LEWIS B. W., COLLINS R. J., WILSON H. S. Seasonal incidence of lead poisoning in children in St. Louis. South Med J. 1955 Mar;48(3):298–301. doi: 10.1097/00007611-195503000-00013. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Letellier G., Desjarlais F. Study of seasonal variations for eighteen biochemical parameters over a four-year period. Clin Biochem. 1982 Aug;15(4):206–211. doi: 10.1016/s0009-9120(82)90112-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Lin-Fu J. S. Vulnerability of children to lead exposure and toxicity (second of two parts). N Engl J Med. 1973 Dec 13;289(24):1289–1293. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197312132892407. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. MALM O. J. Calcium requirement and adaptation in adult men. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1958;10(Suppl 36):1–290. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. MCLAUGHLIN M. C. Lead poisoning in children in New York City, 1950-1954; an epidemiologic study. N Y State J Med. 1956 Dec 1;56(23):3711–3714. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. MELLINS R. B., JENKINS C. D. Epidemiological and psychological study of lead poisoning in children. J Am Med Assoc. 1955 May 7;158(1):15–20. doi: 10.1001/jama.1955.02960010017004. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Mahaffey K. R., Rosen J. F., Chesney R. W., Peeler J. T., Smith C. M., DeLuca H. F. Association between age, blood lead concentration, and serum 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol levels in children. Am J Clin Nutr. 1982 Jun;35(6):1327–1331. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/35.6.1327. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. McCusker J. Longitudinal changes in blood lead level in children and their relationship to season, age, and exposure to paint or plaster. Am J Public Health. 1979 Apr;69(4):348–352. doi: 10.2105/ajph.69.4.348. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Pengelley E. T., Asmundson S. M. Free-running periods of endogenous circannian rhythms in the golden mantled ground squirrel, Citellus lateralis. Comp Biochem Physiol. 1969 Jul 1;30(1):177–183. doi: 10.1016/0010-406x(69)91312-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Poskitt E. M., Cole T. J., Lawson D. E. Diet, sunlight, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D in healthy children and adults. Br Med J. 1979 Jan 27;1(6158):221–223. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.6158.221. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Ragan H. A. Effects of iron deficiency on the absorption and distribution of lead and cadmium in rats. J Lab Clin Med. 1977 Oct;90(4):700–706. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Richter C. P. Evidence for existence of a yearly clock in surgically and self-blinded chipmunks. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1978 Jul;75(7):3517–3521. doi: 10.1073/pnas.75.7.3517. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Robertson I. K., Worwood M. Lead and iron absorption from rat small intestine: the effect of dietary Fe deficiency. Br J Nutr. 1978 Sep;40(2):253–260. doi: 10.1079/bjn19780120. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Rosen J. F., Chesney R. W., Hamstra A., DeLuca H. F., Mahaffey K. R. Reduction in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in children with increased lead absorption. N Engl J Med. 1980 May 15;302(20):1128–1131. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198005153022006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Six K. M., Goyer R. A. The influence of iron deficiency on tissue content and toxicity of ingested lead in the rat. J Lab Clin Med. 1972 Jan;79(1):128–136. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Smith C. M., DeLuca H. F., Tanaka Y., Mahaffey K. R. Effect of lead ingestion on functions of vitamin D and its metabolites. J Nutr. 1981 Aug;111(8):1321–1329. doi: 10.1093/jn/111.8.1321. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Smith C. M., DeLuca H. F., Tanaka Y., Mahaffey K. R. Stimulation of lead absorption by vitamin D administration. J Nutr. 1978 May;108(5):843–847. doi: 10.1093/jn/108.5.843. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Sorrell M., Rosen J. F. Interactions of lead, calcium, vitamin D, and nutrition in lead-burdened children. Arch Environ Health. 1977 Jul-Aug;32(4):160–164. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1977.10667274. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Stryd R. P., Gilbertson T. J., Brunden M. N. A seasonal variation study of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 serum levels in normal humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1979 May;48(5):771–775. doi: 10.1210/jcem-48-5-771. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Szold P. D. Letter: Plumbism and iron deficiency. N Engl J Med. 1974 Feb 28;290(9):520–520. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197402282900918. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. WATSON J. R., DECKER E., LICHTMAN H. C. Hematologic studies of children with lead poisoning. Pediatrics. 1958 Jan;21(1):40–46. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Wasserman R. H., Taylor A. N. Vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein. Response to some physiological and nutritional variables. J Biol Chem. 1968 Jul 25;243(14):3987–3993. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Wasserman R. H., Taylor A. N. Vitamin d3-induced calcium-binding protein in chick intestinal mucosa. Science. 1966 May 6;152(3723):791–793. doi: 10.1126/science.152.3723.791. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Watson W. S., Hume R., Moore M. R. Oral absorption of lead and iron. Lancet. 1980 Aug 2;2(8188):236–237. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(80)90124-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Weinberg E. D. Iron and susceptibility to infectious disease. Science. 1974 May 31;184(4140):952–956. doi: 10.1126/science.184.4140.952. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Wong C. C., Döhler K. D., Atkinson M. J., Geerlings H., Hesch R. D., von zur Mühlen A. Circannual variations in serum concentrations of pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, gonadal and adrenal hormones in male laboratory rats. J Endocrinol. 1983 May;97(2):179–185. doi: 10.1677/joe.0.0970179. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Wróbel J., Nagel G. Diurnal rhythm of active calcium transport in rat intestine. Experientia. 1979 Dec 15;35(12):1581–1582. doi: 10.1007/BF01953205. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Environmental Health Perspectives are provided here courtesy of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

RESOURCES