Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The relationship between blood lead level with iron status and hemopoietic parameters in smoker and non-smoker workers at lead battery factory

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Comparative Clinical Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of lead exposure on hemopoietic system (through the index delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase [δ-ALAD] activity, hemoglobin concentration [Hb], hematocrit concentration [Hct]) and on iron status (levels of serum iron [Fe], ferritin [Fr], total iron binding capacity [TIBC], percentage of transferrin saturation [TS%]) in Iranian workers at lead batteries factory. Forty-four workers were divided into two groups: smokers (n = 21) and non-smokers (n = 23). Also, 45 healthy subjects were studied as control group. δ-ALAD, iron status, and hematological parameters were evaluated. Activity of δ-ALAD ratio showed significant decrease (p < 0.05), while Hb and Hct were non-significant (p > 0.05) in smoker workers compared to non-smoker and control groups. There was no significant decrease (p > 0.05) in the sera levels of Fe, TS%, and Fr in all workers as compared to control. There was a significant increase in the level of TIBC in workers as compared to control; this elevation is more in smoker than in non-smoker workers. In smoker workers, there was a significant positive correlation between the blood lead levels (BLLs) and Hb, Hct, and TIBC whereas a significant negative correlation was observed between BLLs and Fe and TS%. The results revealed the importance of monitoring the level of iron status in smokers who deal with lead and therefore anemia will develop for them. δ-ALAD ratio was considered to predict the efficiency of heme synthesis as a new marker for the diagnosis of early stage of anemia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Annan K, Kojo AI, Cindy A, Samuel A-N, Tunkumgnen BM (2010) Profile of heavy metals in some medicinal plants from Ghana commonly used as components of herbal formulations. Pharmacogn Res 2:41–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dongre NN, Suryakar AN, Patil AJ, Ambekar JG, Rathi DB (2011) Biochemical effects of lead exposure on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heme biosynthesis and hematological parameters in automobile workers of North Karnataka (India). Indian J Clin Biochem 26:400–406

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elezaj I (2012) Blood lead level and Δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity in pre-menopausal and postmenopausal women. J Chem Health Risk 2:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Faridah HW (2013) Assessment of levels of selected heavy metals among industrial workers and related occupational health effects in the city of Nairobi and Athi River Township in Kenya. Chemistry Department, NAIROBI University; 2013.Available from: http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/44448.

  • Faris Mohammed I (2013) Estimation of trace elements levels in blood of children with anemia living at Al-Kufa City. J Purity Util React Environ 2:133–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Flora SJ, Pachauri V (2010) Chelation in metal intoxication. Int J Environ Res Public Health 7:2745–2788

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ghiasvand M, Aghakhani K, Salimi A, Kumar R (2013) Ischemic heart disease risk factors in lead exposed workers: research study. J Occup Med Toxicol 8:11

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gottesfeld P, Pokhrel AK (2011) Review: lead exposure in battery manufacturing and recycling in developing countries and among children in nearby communities. J Occup Environ Hyg 8:520–532

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gültepe M, Kayadibi H, Bolat B (2009) Reference value for the ALAD enzyme activity ratio in men based on the improvement of each analytical step of the colorimetric method and the active/non-active lead concept. Turkish J Med Sci 39:775–781

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegazy AA, Zaher MM, Abd el-hafez MA, Morsy AA, Saleh RA (2010) Relation between anemia and blood levels of lead, copper, zinc and iron among children. BMC Res Notes 3:133

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hrehova Z (2012) Lead concentration in endothermic vertebrates and ALAD polymorphism. Oecologia Montana 18:39–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Josko O (2011) Copper and zinc, biological role and significance of copper/zinc imbalance. J Clin Toxicol S3:001

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalicanin B, Velimirovic D, Arsic I, Dordevic S (2014) Bioavailability of heavy metals in the soil from different locations of medicinal herbs. Acta Fac Med Naiss 31:59–65

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keramati MR, Manavifar L, Badiee Z, Sadeghian MH, Farhangi H, Mood MB (2013) Correlation between blood lead concentration and iron deficiency in Iranian children. J Nigeria Med Asso 54:325–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan DA, Ansari WM, Khan FA (2011) Synergistic effects of iron deficiency and lead exposure on blood lead levels in children. World J Pediatr 7:150–154

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lormphongs S, Miyashita K, Morioka I, Chaikittiporn C, Miyai N, Yamamoto H (2003) Lead exposure and blood lead level of workers in a battery manufacturing plant in Thailand. Ind Health 41:348–353

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luch A (2009) Molecular, clinical and environmental toxicology. Springer

  • Malfatti CRM et al (2012) Decreased erythrocyte NA+, K+ −ATPase activity and increased plasma TBARS in prehypertensive patients. Sci World J 2012:348246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mañay N, Cousillas AZ, Alvarez C, Heller T (2008) Lead contamination in Uruguay: the “La Teja” neighborhood case. In: Reviews of environmental contamination and toxicology. Springer, pp 93–115

  • Mason LH, Harp JP, Han DY (2014) Pb neurotoxicity: neuropsychological effects of lead toxicity. BioMed Res Int 2014:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohammad IK, Mahdi AA, Raviraja A, Najmul I, Iqbal A, Thuppil V (2008) Oxidative stress in painters exposed to low lead levels. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 59:161–169

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Navas-Acien A, Guallar E, Silbergeld EK, Rothenberg SJ (2007) Lead exposure and cardiovascular disease—a systematic review. Environ Health Perspect 115:472–482

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ozmen H, Akarsu S, Polat F, Cukurovali A (2013) The levels of calcium and magnesium, and of selected trace elements, in whole blood and scalp hair of children with growth retardation. Iran J Pediatr 23:125–130

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rocha JB, Saraiva RA, Garcia SC, Gravina FS, Nogueira CW (2012) Aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) as marker protein of intoxication with metals and other pro-oxidant situations. Toxicol Res 1:85–102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tomei G et al (2008) Hemopoietic system in traffic police exposed to urban stressors. Ind Health 46:298–301

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

None declared.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemistry Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

    Hamid Reza Sadeghi

  2. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Mohsen Ghomashlooyan

  3. Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Mehdi Azami

  4. Moddares Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Maryam Jamshidian Ghalesefidi

Authors
  1. Hamid Reza Sadeghi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohsen Ghomashlooyan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mehdi Azami
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maryam Jamshidian Ghalesefidi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Mohsen Ghomashlooyan or Mehdi Azami.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sadeghi, H.R., Ghomashlooyan, M., Azami, M. et al. The relationship between blood lead level with iron status and hemopoietic parameters in smoker and non-smoker workers at lead battery factory. Comp Clin Pathol 24, 1111–1115 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-014-2041-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-014-2041-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation