title: An increase in the Na+/K+-ATPase activity of erythrocyte membranes in workers employed in a lead refining factory.
abstract: To clarify the relationship between erythrocyte Na+/K+-ATPase activity and haematological findings, several clinical laboratory examinations were performed on 31 male workers employed in a scrap lead refining factory and, as controls, 50 male workers employed in railway construction. The results were: (1) Values for erythrocyte Na+/K+-ATPase activity, blood and urine lead, urine delta-aminolaevulinic acid, and urine coproporphyrin of lead workers were significantly higher than those of the controls (p less than 0.01). (2) A strongly positive relationship between blood lead and erythrocyte Na/K-ATPase activity was observed in lead workers (r = 0.473, p less than 0.01). (3) A strongly negative relationship between Na+/K+-ATPase activity and intracellular sodium was observed in both groups (lead workers; r = -0.601, p less than 0.01: controls; r = 0.595, p less than 0.01).
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000652:urine; D003306:Coproporphyrins / Q000652:urine; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000201:enzymology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003306:Coproporphyrins; D007854:Lead; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase