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Effect of Pb-exposure and B vitamin deficiencies on δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity among workers from Pb recycling plants

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Abstract

Previous studies reported that Pb exposure causes a negative association with delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity (δ-ALAD), but the impact of Pb exposure (dose and time), B vitamin deficiencies, and lifestyle factors needs to be explored. In this study, the impact of Pb exposure, B vitamin deficiencies, and lifestyle factors on δ-ALAD activity among workers exposed to Pb from the Pb-recycling process was evaluated. Blood lead levels (BLLs), B vitamins (B6, B9, and B12), hematological factors (Hb% and HCT), lifestyle factors, and δ-ALAD activity was assessed in 170 male Pb-exposed workers engaged in the Pb recycling process. BLLs are estimated using the ICP-OES method. B vitamins in serum samples from workers were determined using the ELISA method. The δ-ALAD activity in whole blood samples was determined using the spectrophotometer method. The lifestyle factors were collected using a standard questionnaire. The δ-ALAD activity was significantly decreased in workers with the habits of alcohol use, tobacco consumption, hematocrit < 41%, mild and moderate categories of anemia, vitamin B6 and B12 deficiency, and BLL categories of 10–30, 30–50, and > 50 µg/dL. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the independent variables of alcohol consumption (β = − 0.170; P = 0.025), BLLs (β = − 0.589; P = 0.001) and Hb% (β = 0.183; P = 0.001) significantly influenced the δ-ALAD activity with 44.2% (R2 = 0.442). Among the workers exposed to Pb from the Pb recycling plant, δ-ALAD activity was considerably reduced by Pb exposure, B vitamin deficiency, hematological parameters, and lifestyle factors.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Director in-charge, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, for his support and encouragement in conducting this study. The authors are thankful to Mrs. N. Thara, Mr. Rajeev Yadav, Mr. Panja Kumar and Mr. Prakash Nayak for their technical assistance. Last but not least, the authors are grateful to the study participants, who willingly cooperative with the study.

Funding

This research project is funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research, India (Grant No. 2018-2811).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Regional Occupational Health Centre (Southern), Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR Complex, Kannamangala Post, Poojanahalli Road Devanahalli Taluk, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 562110, India

    Vinay Kumar Adepu, Kalahasthi Ravibabu & Raju Nagaraju

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shimoga, Karnataka, 577451, India

    H. S. Santosh Kumar

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  1. Vinay Kumar Adepu
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Adepu, V.K., Kumar, H.S.S., Ravibabu, K. et al. Effect of Pb-exposure and B vitamin deficiencies on δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity among workers from Pb recycling plants. J Biol Inorg Chem (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00775-023-02042-w

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