title: Changed excretion of urinary proteins and enzymes by chronic exposure to lead.
abstract: Fifteen various serum and urine parameters were evaluated as indicators of renal alterations induced by lead in 82 male workers of a battery plant chronically exposed to lead (median of blood lead concentration: 2.03 mumol/l). The control group comprised 44 non-exposed healthy volunteers (0.34 mumol/l). High-molecular-mass proteins (transferrin, immunoglobulin G (IgG), (albumin)) were determined in urine as markers of glomerular integrity; low-molecular-weight proteins and parenchymal enzymes (alpha 1-microglobulin, beta 2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein, lysozyme, ribonuclease, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)) as indicators of changes in the proximal tubule; Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein and kallikrein as markers of the distal tubule. There was a positive correlation between tubular indicators and blood lead concentration as well as the erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EPP). About 30% of the lead-exposed workers showed an increased excretion of alpha 1-microglobulin, NAG, ribonuclease, and/or Tamm-Horsfall protein, whereas the glomerular indicators remained unchanged. The combined determination of NAG and alpha 1-microglobulin in urine could be helpful in the early detection of lead-induced changes in the nephron.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Charité, Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pergande
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Precht
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Fels
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Herbort
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stolte
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000652:urine; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000652:urine; D015415:Biomarkers; D006801:Humans; D007686:Kidney Tubules, Distal / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009088:Mucoproteins / Q000652:urine; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000652:urine; D058949:Uromodulin
chemical_list: D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D015415:Biomarkers; D009088:Mucoproteins; C548612:UMOD protein, human; D058949:Uromodulin; C016001:alpha-1-microglobulin; D007854:Lead; D012260:Ribonucleases; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase