Exposure to lead damages the biological systems, developing oxidative stress. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) produces NADPH in pentose phosphate pathway. This molecule protects tissues from oxidative stress. There are conflicting reports in the literatures of the effects of lead on G6PD activity. Objectives: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of lead on erythrocyte G6PD activity in rats given lead acetate in their drinking water. Materials and Methods: In this

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... Methods: In this study 14 albino rats were divided into two groups of seven animals. The treated group was exposed to 2% lead acetate in the drinking water during eight weeks. The control group was kept in the similar condition as the test group; however this group was not exposed to lead acetate. The blood lead level was measured with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The G6PD activity was determined by kinetic method. The hemoglobin content was determined by Drabkin's method. Malondialdehyde (MDA) in rats' plasma was measured with the thiobarbituric acid test using HPLC. Results: The blood lead concentration in treated group was increased when compared to control group (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in hemoglobin level was noted in lead-treated animals (P < 0.05). The G6PD activity in erythrocytes of rats received lead acetate increased up to 81% compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The G6PD/hemoglobin ratio in control and treatment groups was 17.7 ± 3.6 U/g and 44.9 ± 4.4 U/g, respectively. A significant increase in the plasma MDA level was also observed in the exposed group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that exposure to lead increased the activity of G6PD in the rat erythrocytes, perhaps resulting in an up regulation of the enzyme to detoxify lead.