Evaluation of Lead Acetate Exposure on the Growth and Expression of Bax in Cultured Human Embryonic Astrocytes

Lead (pb) is an environmental toxicant which can induce structural and functional abnormalities in central nervous system, specially in young children. In this experimental study, we evaluated the toxic effects of lead on human fetal astrocyte cells. At the first stage, the growth inhibition effects of short and long term exposure to lead were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Furthermore, the effect of Foetal Calf Serum (FCS) on lead toxicity was evaluated by above method. At the second stage, we applied immunocytochemistry (ICC) to analysis the effects of lead on the expression of stress related bax gene. The lead toxicity was observed at a concentration of>1mM (p=0.000). Continuous lead exposure also (250 and 500 µM for 7 days) caused a significant growth inhibition (p<0.01) of astroastes. The results showed the protective effect of FCS against lead toxicity. Lead exposure also induced bax gene expression. These results show that lead may disturb the function of astrocytes and therefore and may interfere with development of fetal nervous system.