International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 SJIF (2022): 7.942 Volume 12 Issue 2, February 2023 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Effect of the Nutritional Supplement Synertox® on Lead - Induced Toxicity in Male Albino Rats Mohammed Al - Zhrani (Ph. D.) 1 , Mohammed Mubarak (Ph. D.) 2 , Hassan Ahmed Rudayni (Ph. D.) 3 , Mohammed Al -Eissa (Ph. D.) 4 1, 2, 3, 4 Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia 1 Corresponding Author Email: mohammedahmed_62[at]yahoo.com Mobile: 00966563924677 Abstract: Background : Synertox® is a supplement of high nutritional value containing a cocktail of highly rich ingredients. Lead is one of the well - known hazardous heavy metals. The current study was conducted to investigate the probable role of synertox to ameliorate the lead - induced toxic effects. Materials and Methods : For this purpose, 60 male albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, of 20 animals each, designated groups 1, 2 and 3. Rats in group 1 served as untreated control, group 2 animals were intoxicated by lead and group 3 rats were exposed to lead and received synertox in their drinking water. Results : All hematological and biochemical parameters were altered in the lead intoxicated rats (group 2) compared to control group. Addition of synertoxin group 3 resulted in increasing the erythrocytic indices, including RBCs count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit %. Biochemical parameters of group 3 disclosed comparatively increased levels of total proteins and decreased levels of creatinine, urea, bilirubin and serum enzymes in relation to the levels recorded in group 2 (lead intoxicated animals). Conclusion : It was concluded that synertox as a highly concentrated nutritional supplement may provide an ameliorating effect on the lead induced toxicity as judged by the encountered hematological and biochemical profiles. Keywords: Lead toxicity, synertox, antioxidant, hematological changes, biochemical Profile 1. Introduction Synertox®is a highly concentrated nutritional supplement containing rich essential ingredients including vitamins and organic acids. It is used as a soluble product for maintaining immune status, enhancing performance and sustaining the vital body physiological functions. The highly concentrated components and micronutrients contained in synertox includes; phosphoric acid, citric acid, lactic acid, aspartic acid, calcium lactate, papain, potassium and sodium tartrate, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, propylene glycol, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, thiamine nitrate and pyridoxine hydrochloride. Lead is one of the most hazardous environmental heavy metal that is globally distributed and widely used. [1] [2] [3]It possesses non - biodegradable nature, hence it is accumulated in the environment with increasing the possible hazards. Occupational exposure to lead and its compounds is the most common source of toxicity to human. Generally, lead poisoning takes place by ingestion of food and water contaminated with lead, followed by rapid absorption to reach blood stream and finally leadis localized in certain tissues. [4]Lead as a highly toxic metal affects all types of human and animal tissues. [5] Long - term exposure to lead may provoke pronounced tissue changes as a consequence to the resultant chronic toxicity. [6] This is exemplified by the lead - induced histological, histochemical and metabolic hepatic and renal changes. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] Lead - induced toxic effects may also extend to the circulating blood cells. [13] [14] The present study was carried out to investigate the probable ameliorating effect of synertox as a supplement of high nutritional value on lead - induced toxicity. 2. Materials and Methods Experimental animals: A total of 60 adult male albino rats, aging 4 months and weighing 165 - 220 g, were used in the present study. The rats were housed and maintained according tothe laboratory standards (12 - h dark - light cycle, ambient temperature 24 ± 1 o C, relative humidity of 30%to70%). All the official guides to care and use of laboratory animals stated by the Ethical Committee of Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud University, Saudi Arabia, were followed carefully. Lead and Synertox: Lead was used as lead acetate trihydrate (Pb (CH 3 COO) 2 x3 H 2 O) (Sigma - Aldrich, Germany). The commercially available synertox® (Agrarian Marketing Corporation, IN, USA) was procured and implicated in the experiment with its original concentration without dilution. Synertox ingredients as stated by the manufacturer are listed in Table (1). Experimental design: After one week acclimatization period, the rats were randomly allotted into three equal groups, of 20 animals each, designated groups 1, 2 and 3. Rats in group 1 served as untreated control, i. e., not exposed to lead and received only plain drinking water without the addition of any chemical. Group 2 animals were exposed daily to lead acetate trihydrate dissolved in water at the dose of 5 mg/Kg b. w. by an oral gavage in a volume of 1 mL/ kg b. w. Rats in group 3 were exposed to lead at the same dose and via the same Paper ID: SR23126135704 DOI: 10.21275/SR23126135704 35