The effects of three recently synthesized zinc-saccharide complexes (zinc-fructose, zinc-galactose and zinc-glucose) on blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, glutathione (GSH), zinc-protoporphyrin (ZPP) and urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) levels have been investigated to ascertain the utility of these complexes as zinc supplements and as preventive agents against lead intoxication in rats.