title: The effect of occupational lead exposure on lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and plasma viscosity.
abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of occupational lead (Pb) exposure on lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and plasma viscosity in workers. The examined group included 283 healthy male employees of manufacturing facilities using zinc and Pb. The mean blood concentrations of Pb and zinc protoporphyrin as well as the mean urine δ-aminolevulinic acid levels were used as markers of exposure for the examined group. Taking into account the obtained mean values of blood lead level, the examined group was divided into three subgroups. When comparing the control group with the subgroups, Pb exposure markers were significantly elevated in all the three subgroups. Concentrations of conjugated dienes (CD), lipid hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl groups were also significantly increased. Conversely, the levels of total protein and protein sulfhydryls were significantly decreased in the subgroups compared with the controls. The plasma viscosity was significantly elevated in the subgroups. A dose-response between Pb levels and plasma viscosity was not observed. Pb supposedly elevates MDA and CD in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, occupational Pb exposure induces oxidative stress that results in lipid and protein damage. Moreover, Pb-induced oxidative stress is likely the primary factor that elevates plasma viscosity, despite decreased protein levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Jordana, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Sławomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasperczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia, Jordana, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Ludmiła
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Słowińska-Łożyńska
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Jordana, Zabrze, Poland olakasp@poczta.onet.pl.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasperczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Jordana, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wielkoszyński
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Jordana, Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Birkner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000652:urine; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011044:Poland; D050050:Protein Carbonylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011524:Protoporphyrins; C017803:zinc protoporphyrin; D007854:Lead; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid
keywords: Lead poisoning; lipid peroxidation; oxidative stress; plasma viscosity; protein carbonylation