Schwann cell injuries of radial nerve after lead (Pb) exposure in rats

Lead toxicity is still a common problem. The aim of the present study was to clarify neurotoxical effects in peripheral nerves using rat's radial nerve as model. Adult male rats were divided in two groups. The experimental group received intraperitoneally 20 mg/kg of lead acetate for 10 days and the controls water only. Blood lead level was measured by atomic spectrophotometer absorption. The morphology of radial nerves was studied with light and electron microscopy. Active macrophages, edema and disarrangement of myelin sheath layers and reduction in myelin sheath diameter and nuclear density of Schwann cells as well as granules in mitochondrial matrix were found.