title: Possible role of zinc in diminishing lead-related occupational stress-a zinc nutrition concern.
abstract: Lead and zinc are mostly present at the same occupational source and usually found as co-contaminants. Lead is known to associate with detrimental effects to humans. Zinc however is an essential nutrient and its deficiency causes debilitating effects on growth and development. Besides, it acts as core ion of important enzymes and proteins. The purpose of this study was to examine if zinc concentrations are associated with blood lead levels and if zinc may prevent lead-induced DNA damage. Blood samples were collected from 92 workers as participants occupationally exposed to lead or lead and zinc and 38 comparison participants having no history of such exposure. Lead and zinc levels were determined from blood by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and genetic damage was assessed by comet assay. Correlation was calculated by Spearman's rho. Lead concentrations were observed to increase among workers with increase in years of exposure. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in blood lead levels between workers and controls. In addition, significant difference (p < 0.001) in the genetic damage was observed among workers and controls. A clear effect of increased occupational exposure was visible among workers. Multiple regression analysis further reveals the positive effect of lead, while as the inverse effect of zinc on DNA damage. The results suggest that zinc may influence body lead absorption and may have a role in preventing the genetic damage caused by lead.
authors.affiliation: Cytogenetics and Molecular Toxicology Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Utter Pradesh, 202002, India. latifamu99@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ab Latif
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Utter Pradesh, 202002, India.
authors.forename: Ajaz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Cytogenetics and Molecular Toxicology Lab, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Utter Pradesh, 202002, India.
authors.forename: G G H A
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Shadab
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Utter Pradesh, 202002, India.
authors.forename: Jawed Ahmad
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Usmani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D055815:Young Adult; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients; D007854:Lead; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Atomic absorption; Comet assay; Lead absorption; Lead toxicity; Zinc