title: Alterations in antioxidant defense system of workers chronically exposed to arsenic, cadmium and mercury from coal flying ash.
abstract: Humans are exposed to different stress factors that are responsible for over-production of reactive oxygen species. Exposure to heavy metals is one of these factors. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of chronic exposure to heavy metals through coal flying ash on the efficiency of antioxidative defensive mechanisms, represented by the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and ascorbic acid. Nonessential elements such as arsenic and mercury levels showed a significant increase (p > 0.001) in the power plant workers rather than in the control subjects. There were no significant differences of blood cadmium between power plant workers and control subjects. We found a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between BAs/SZn (r = 0.211), BAs/BSe (r = 0.287), BCd/SCu (r = 0.32) and BHg/BSe (r = 0.263) in the plant workers. Red blood cell antioxidant enzymes and plasma ascorbic acid were significantly lower in power plants workers than in the control group (p < 0.002). We can conclude that levels of mercury, arsenic and cadmium in blood, despite their concentration within the reference values, significantly affect plasma ascorbic acid concentration, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, which are able to increase the risk of oxidative stress.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Prishtina, 10000, Prishina, Republic of Kosovo. lzeneli@gmail.com.
authors: Lulzim
authors: L
authors: Zeneli
authors: Institute of Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors: Ankica
authors: A
authors: Sekovanić
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Prishtina, Prishina, Republic of Kosovo.
authors: Majlinda
authors: M
authors: Ajvazi
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Prishtina, 10000, Prishina, Republic of Kosovo.
authors: Leonard
authors: L
authors: Kurti
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Prishtina, Prishina, Republic of Kosovo.
authors: Nexhat
authors: N
authors: Daci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D060729:Coal Ash / Q000032:analysis; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D063826:Kosovo; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011210:Power Plants; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000975:Antioxidants; D060729:Coal Ash; D002104:Cadmium; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D008628:Mercury; D001151:Arsenic; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: Antioxidant; Blood; Correlation; PP workers; Trace elements