Background: Considering the severe hazardous influences of Lead (Pb2+) on iron-related diseases, this study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Pb2+ on the serum parameters associated with iron metabolism.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, male Wistar rats weighing 200–250 g were treated with Pb2+ for the short and long period of time. The animals received daily intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg Pb 2+ kg−1 body weight (BW) for 5 days and 4 mg Pb2+ kg−1 BW for 30 and 45 days, respectively.

Results: The results showed that when animals were treated with both low and high concentrations of Pb 2+, the serum iron concentrations decreased markedly by 23.2%, 32.8%, and 39.9 % after 5, 30 and 45 days, respectively, while the sera TIBC and transferrin concentrations increased significantly (P<0.05). Following the short- and long-term exposure to Pb 2+, the percentage of serum transferrin saturation was also decreased in comparison with the untreated control group (P<0.05). Concentrations of serum copper and ceruloplasmin following Pb 2+ treatment also reduced significantly (P<0.05). Moreover, the percentage of hematocrit and hemoglobin levels was reduced (P<0.05) in all Pb 2+-treated animals in comparison with the controls.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the changes in serum parameters associated with iron metabolism may play an important role in producing iron-related diseases.