Toxicity to heavy metals and relationship to seizure thresholds

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Abstract
The present study was designed to provide information on the effects of lead, mercury, and nickel on lethality, body weight, and brain excitability in the adult rat. Both short- (2 days) and long-term (6 wk) drug administrations were carried out in adult male albino rats (Sprague-Dawley, Zivic-Miller). Based on the mg/kg/day of drug given over a 2-day period, the LD50 values were as follows: Pb(Ac)2, 215; Pb(N03)2, 65.9; MMC, 11.9; HgC12, 4.5; Ni(Ac)2, 35-40; NiS04, 35-40. High doses of each of the metals administered acutely caused a drop in body weight but had an inconsistent effect on fiurothyl-induced seizure thresholds. Pb(Ac)2, 200 mg/kg/day for 2 days, produced a statistically significant anticonvulsant effect, while 50 mg /kg Pb(N03)2 resulted in afall in threshold. Both NiSO4 and Ni(Ac)2, 30 mg/kg, increased seizure threshold. Neither the organic nor inorganic mercury altered thresholds. Long-term administration of Pb(Ac)2, MMC, or HgC12 resulted in marked effects on body weight but no significant change in brain excitability.

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