Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are toxic metals occurring commonly in the human environment
that show mutagenic, genotoxic and carcinogenic effects. Dietary components could prevent heavy
metals intoxication by reducing their accumulation in the body. The purpose of the study was to
check possible protective effect of regular consumption of white, black, red, or green tea on bone
metabolism during long-term exposure to Pb and Cd in adult rats. The 12 week-long exposure to Pb
and Cd (50 mg Pb and 7 mg Cd/kg of the diet) in a rat model was studied. Twelve-week-old adult
male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a negative control group (Pb and Cd exposure without
tea), a control (without Pb and Cd and teas), and groups co-exposed to Pb and Cd and supplemented
with green, red, black, or white tea (n=12 each group). The experiment lasted for 12 weeks. The coexposure
to Pb and Cd led to the increase of bone resorption depending on the tea treatment, which
was confirmed by the mechanical testing and histomorphometrical examination of cancellous bone.
Pb and Cd influenced mechanical strength, reduced the densitometric and geometric parameters
and the thickness of growth plate and articular cartilages. Concluding, white tea exerted the best
protective effect on bone tissue and hyaline cartilage against heavy metal action.