The Toxicological Effect of Lead on Liver Histology and Biochemical Parameters: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Although lead is the fifth most commonly used metal in the world, it can cause a variety of human health hazards. Lead is an environmentally persistent toxin that can cause neurological, hematological, circulatory, reproductive, liver, and kidney diseases. It has been found to affect virtually every organ of one or more systems in both humans and animals. The aim of this study was to review scientific empirical literature on the toxic effects of lead exposure on liver histology and biochemical parameters. Method: Data were collected from online databases, Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHAL and Google. Studies were evaluated by focusing on lead dose, exposure duration, and the type of test animals used to measure the effects of lead. The literature reviewed was from published work only. Results: Histological studies showed that lead can induce various changes such as hypertrophy of hepatocytes, portal vein space and central vein dilatation, vacuolation and lymphocytic infiltration. It was also shown that liver enzyme levels were increased in treated rats compared to controls. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive rationale for recent updates describing the health effects of lead exposure, relevant biomarkers, and the mechanisms involved in lead toxicity