DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i07.021

Pages: 2717-2729

Environmental lead pollution is a continuous public health concern in Nigeria and the world at large. Exposure to lead results in toxicological complications, which range from brain disorders, decreased organ functions, and increased risk of chronic diseases especially in the elderly. Oxidative stress is the chief pathophysiologic mechanism by which lead impairs health integrity in humans and animals. So far, amongst the exogenous antioxidants, ascorbic acid is perhaps the most comprehensively studied antioxidant with respect to lead intoxication. It is capable of donating reducing equivalent to quench free radicals, and also facilitates lead excretion from the body. However, the bulk of the research on the role of ascorbic acid on lead toxicity was based on pre-treatment using animal models, while post treatment appears to be neglected. More so, despite enormous information on the role of ascorbic acid on lead toxicity, information on human clinical trials is still relatively scarce. This review provides a summary of toxicities associated with lead, and some benefits of ascorbic acid supplementation with respect to lead intoxication.