Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the effect of low-level of lead on the expression of c-Fos and c-Jun in rat primarily cultured astrocyte cells.MethodsThe primary neural glia cells of Wistar rats of 1-4 days old were cultured.Samples of the cell culture were collected at different time after 1.0μmol/L lead acetate exposure and the contents of c-Fos and c-Jun were assayed with Western blot method.ResultsThe exposure of 1.0μmol/L lead acetate could decrease the expressions of c-Fos and c-Jun remarkably compared with those of the control.There were 33.4% and 17.3% of decrease in c-Fos and c-Jun expression 15 minutes after the exposure compared to those of the control,respectively(P<0.05).The expressions of c-Fos and c-Jun decreased to the lowest 180 minutes after the exposure and were only 1/2 of the control(P<0.01).ConclusionLow-level lead exposure could result in the persistent decrease of the expressions of c-Fos and c-Jun within several hours and the decreases may relate to the damage of learning and memory capacity in rat with lead exposure.