Gene expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes in the blood cells of workers who were occupationally exposed to lead.
In this study, we sought to understand the influence of occupational lead-exposure on the gene expression (Sod1) and activity (SOD) of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx, Gpx1) in leukocytes and erythrocytes. The study group consisted of 45 healthy male employees of a lead-zinc works and was divided into two subgroups: those with low exposure to lead (LE) and those with high exposure to lead (HE). In addition, 17 healthy male administrative workers participated in the study as the control group. The gene expression levels of both Sod1 and Gpx1 were significantly increased in the LE group as compared to the control group. By contrast, we noted only an insignificant tendency for increased gene expression of both Sod1 and Gpx1 in the HE group. The expression and activity of catalase were unchanged. Nevertheless, SOD and GPx activities in erythrocytes was significantly elevated in both examined subgroups, whereas SOD activity in leukocytes was raised only in the LE group. The results of this study led us to conclude that lead has a significant influence not only on the activities of antioxidant enzymes but also on the dose-dependent expression in their genes.
Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Silesia, Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland.
Aleksandra
A
Kasperczyk
Grzegorz
G
Machnik
Michał
M
Dobrakowski
Daniel
D
Sypniewski
Ewa
E
Birkner
Sławomir
S
Kasperczyk
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; D055815:Young Adult; D000094765:Glutathione Peroxidase GPX1
D000975:Antioxidants; C000606290:SOD1 protein, human; D007854:Lead; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1; D000094765:Glutathione Peroxidase GPX1; C000722067:GPX1 protein, human