الفهرس 
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the protective effects of natural antioxidant (DL- methionine and L- ascorbic acid) on lead or cadmium toxicity where they tested separately for their effects on selected indices of changes in body weight and weight of some organs of female rats, as well as some blood serum biochemical parameters.
Female albino rats of Winstar strain were used. A total number of 49 rats were divided into seven groups.
A dose of 300 ppm of lead as lead acetate and 40mg cadmium as cadmium chloride were administered through drinking water for 5 weeks. Rats received methionine – diet (6.5g/kg diet) and ascorbic acid- diet (250 mg / kg diet). On the completion of 5 weeks, animals were scarified at the end of experiment, liver, kidneys, lung, and heart were excised immediately and weighed. Blood samples were collected and centrifuged at 3000 rpm to obtain serum.
The obtained results could be summarized as follows:
1-Body weight
Exposure of Pb or Cd reduced significantly the weekly body weight of rats. However, the beneficial role of antioxidant with heavy metal treatment was observed where the relative weight gain % was increased.
2- Organs weight :-
All rat organs weight were significantly affected by Pb or Cd intoxication. Liver and kidneys were target organs for heavy metals accumulation. However, supplementation of antioxidants in diets reduced liver and kidneys weights of exposed rats.
3- Renal functions:
Heavy metals lowered serum total protein , methionine treatment with Pb toxicity could not increase it , while ascorbic acid administration showed more efficient in both exposed – Pb or -Cd rats where it increased . Pb or Cd exposure increased significantly the concentration of urea and creatinine in serum, methionine and Vit.C reduced such two parameters in exposed animals.
4-Liver functions:
Administration of Pb or Cd increased significantly blood serum glucose; however, antioxidants decreased the outcome of glucose and brought its level less than control.
Sharp and significant increases in both aminotransferases enzymes i.e ALT and AST were observed in blood serum of exposed rats . Antioxidants i.e methionine or ascorbic acid along individually with Pb or Cd administration significantly reduced the extent of liver cell damage (lowered the levels ALT and AST).
There were significant increases in total bilirubin and direct bilirubin concentration in blood serum after intoxification with Pb or Cd . However , adding methionine or ascorbic acid to the diets of exposed rats did not normalize such two parameters as compared to control group.
5- Lipid profile:
Lead or cadmium intoxicated groups contained significant high levels of serum total cholesterol , triglycerides and low density lipoprotein –cholesterol ( LDL –cholesterol ) , however the levels of HDL- Cholesterol appeared to be low as compared to control group .
The ameliorative efficacy of both antioxidants in experimental Pb or Cd toxicity were observed . It decreased the values for total cholesterol , triglycerides and LDL – cholesterol and improved blood lipid status via increasing HDL formation and cholesterol formation .