title: Decreases in postural change in finger blood flow in ceramic painters chronically exposed to low level lead.
abstract: To elucidate the effect of low level lead (Pb) exposure on somatic and autonomic peripheral nerve functions in ceramic painters, 58 males and 70 females, aged 29-75 years (mean 53.3 years), with lead concentrations in blood (Pb-B) ranging from 2.1 to 69.5 micrograms/dl (geometric mean 13.3 micrograms/dl), were examined for median nerve maximal conduction velocity as a measure of motor nerve function, the coefficient of variation of R-R interval on electrocardiography as a measure of parasympathetic function, and postural changes in finger blood flow volume (delta FBF), and changes in finger blood flow drop velocity (FDV) from the supine to standing position as a measure of sympathetic function. No significant association was found between Pb-B levels and the results of the neurophysiological tests, however, except for that between Pb-B and delta FBF was decreased linearly with increasing Pb-B levels. However, this association could not be concluded to be a reflection of sympathetic nerve dysfunction due to Pb exposure in the subjects, since delta FBF was not a specific parameter of sympathetic nerve function. The possibility that the decrease in delta FBF is a reflection of the atherosclerotic effect of chronic low level Pb exposure should be further investigated.
authors: Department of Hygiene, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ishida
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ishizaki
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Yamada
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002516:Ceramics; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010150:Paint; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
chemical_list: D007854:Lead