The objective of this study was to explore whether Vitamin C or selenium could be
protective against the toxic effect of lead acetate. To achieve this purpose, certain
hematological and biochemical parameters were studied. Twenty male albino rats
(Rattus norvegicus), weighing about 130-150 gram were used. The rats were divided
into four groups, each group included five rats. The first group was the control, the
second group was administrated orally lead acetate (20 mg / kg of the body weight /
day/four weeks), the third group was administrated orally with the same dose of lead
acetate plus vitamin C (50 mg/kg body weight/ day/four weeks), the fourth group was
given the same dose of lead acetate as the second group and plus sodium selenate in a
dose of (0.1 mg /kg body weight/ day/four weeks). Food and water were allowed
adlibitum for all the groups. The experimental period was four weeks. The results
showed that there was a significant decrease in hematological indices studied in the
second group (red blood count, white blood count, and hemoglobin concentration and
haematocrit value) after the administration of lead acetate. Moreover, there were
higher significantly increase in serum glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, urea and
creatinine compared with the control group. The third group showed improvement in
the hematological parameters,(red blood& white blood count ,hemoglobin
concentration and haematocrit value ).Also improvement in the biochemical
parameters of serum glucose ,total lipids ,cholesterol ,urea and creatinine compared
to second group. The fourth group showed significant improvement compared with
the second group. In addition, a significant decrease in serum glucose, total lipids,
total cholesterol, urea and creatinine were found of this group. In conclusion, the
results of different parameters studied in rats received orally vitamin C or selenium
showed improvement compared with the rats orally received lead.