Influence of environmental lead on membrane ion transport in a French urban male population.
Red cell cation transports (Na(+)-K+ pump, Na(+)-K+ cotransport system, Na(+)-Li+ countertransport, and Na+ and K+ passive permeabilities) and blood and hair lead levels were measured in 129 healthy adult Caucasians not occupationally exposed to lead. In agreement with previously reported in vitro results showing a lead-induced Na(+)-K+ ATPase inhibition, Na(+)-K+ pump activity was inversely correlated with hair lead (r = -0.18, P less than 0.05); it was not significantly correlated with blood lead. Na(+)-K+ cotransport activity was inversely correlated with blood lead contents (r = -0.23, P less than 0.05) but not with hair lead. No significant correlation was found between the remaining cation transport pathways and lead levels. It is hypothesized that environmental, long-term exposure to lead may result in pump inhibition, while a recent exposition to lead may result in inhibition of the Na(+)-K+ cotransport system. Further research is required in order to determine if red cell Na(+)-K+ pump and Na(+)-K+ cotransport activities are sensitive indicators of chronic and recent exposures to lead, respectively.
U169 INSERM Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France.
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S
Hajem
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Moreau
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Hannaert
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J
Lellouch
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Huel
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Hellier
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Orssaud
J R
JR
Claude
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B
Juguet
B
B
Festy
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010297:Paris; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D012907:Smoking; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D014505:Urban Population
D007473:Ion Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D015222:Sodium Channels; D007854:Lead