title: [Serum and urinary glycosaminoglycans in workers chronically exposed to lead].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glycosoaminoglycans (GAGs) are the constructive elements of proteoglycans (PGs), which together with collagen and non-collagen proteins form the basal extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The quantitative and qualitative disturbances in GAG synthesis are associated with organ and system pathology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of chronic occupational exposure to lead on ECM elements in the cardiovascular system.
  
  
  METHODS
  167 workers of the copper foundry, including 113 smelters (group I, n=54, blood Pb (B-Pb) level of 200-400 microg/l and group II, n=59, B-Pb level over 400 microg/l) and 54 office workers (control group) were involved in the study. Blood lead and cadmium as well as serum zinc and copper concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically. Serum glucosoaminoglycans and lipid peroxides (LPO) were measured colorimetrically. Urine N-acethyl-b-D-glucosoaminidase (NAG) activity was detected spectrofluorymetrically and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity was detected kinetically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  B-Pb concentrations were 306.8 +/- 55.8 microg/l (group I) and 491.7 +/- 50.3 microg/l (group II) in smelters and 116 +/- 48.6 microg/l in the control group. In comparison with controls, the significantly increased serum GAG concentrations were observed in groups I and II (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), whereas the increased serum LPO concentration was also found in group II (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lead interacts with ECM, disturbing the metabolism of glucosoaminoglycans. Glycosoaminoglycans can be used as a sensitive indicator of lead toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych, Zawodowych i Nadciśnienia Tetniczego, Akademia Medyczna im. Piastów Slaskich, Wrocław. bturczyn@ak.am.wroc.pl
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turczyn
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skoczyńska
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wojakowska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002104:Cadmium / Q000097:blood; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc