title: Lead-elevated activity of xanthine oxidase in lead-exposed workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to explore the connection between lead toxicity and the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO). In addition, we indicated the uric acid (UA) and creatinine levels and concentration of erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) to estimate oxidative stress intensity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The examined group consisted of 125 healthy male employees of zinc and lead works. The examined group was divided into tertiles according to blood lead levels. In the collected blood samples, concentrations of lead-exposure indices, UA, creatinine, and MDA as well as activity of XO were measured concomitantly. The control group consisted of 32 healthy male administrative workers who were exposed to lead only environmentally.
  
  
  RESULTS
  XO activity and MDA level were significantly elevated in all tertiles compared to the control group. Creatinine level was significantly elevated in the medium and high tertiles. However, the level of UA was significantly elevated in the high tertile, while in the low and medium tertile only a tendency toward higher values was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occupational exposure to lead induces activity of XO. 'lhis induction may contribute to the observed simultaneously increased oxidative stress, measured as MDA level, and the increased level of UA.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Silesia in Katowice / Slaski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, Zabrze, Poland. kaslav@mp.pl
authors.forename: Sławomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasperczyk
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dobrakowski
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ostałowska
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasperczyk
authors.forename: Slawomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilczyiński
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wyparło-Wszelaki
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kiełtucki
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Birkner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012016:Reference Values; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014527:Uric Acid; D007854:Lead; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003404:Creatinine; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase