[Effects of lead exposure on thymic output naive T cells function].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the levels of T cell receptor rearrangement excision DNA circles (TRECs) within peripheral blood from workers exposed to lead, and thereby to evaluate the number of naive T cells and recent thymic output function.


METHODS
Quantitative detection of TRECs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from 10 cases of workers exposed to lead was performed by real time PCR analysis. 11 workers without exposure to lead served as unexposed controls. In addition, the relationship between TRECs, age, length of service, blood lead, urea lead, blood ZPP and urea delta-ALA was investigated.


RESULTS
The mean value of TRECs in workers exposed to lead was (2.44 +/- 1.87)/1000 PBMC, significantly under (5.60 +/- 3.96)/1000 PBMC in unexposed controls. A significant negative correlation was found between the TRECs and urea-ALA. But there was no significant correlation between them after controlling for blood lead, urea lead.


CONCLUSIONS
Lead exposure may damage thymic output naive T cells function. Furthermore, low-level exposure to lead may damage immune system and earlier than expected.
Liu
Wei-wei
WW
Guangzhou Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Disease, Guangzhou 510620, China.
Chen
Jia-yu
JY
Yang
Zhi-qian
ZQ
Chen
Shao-hua
SH
Yang
Li-jian
LJ
Yu
Wei
W
Li
Yang-qiu
YQ
D000328:Adult; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects*; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D007854:Lead; D004247:DNA