ABSTRACT
In this study, fifteen cirrhotics, thirteen cirrhotics with hepatic encephalopathy and ten normal control persons were subjected to clinical examinations, abdominal sonography, blood biochemistry examination and blood lead determination. Both cirrhotics and cirrhotics with encephalopathy showed symptoms. Physical signs and blood biochemistry changes pertinent with liver cirrhotics, Blood lead concentrations were significantly [p<0.05] higher in cirrhotics and cirrhotics with hepatic encephalopathy than in control persons. We suggest that altered permeability of the blood brain barrier may allow passage of lead into brain tissues contributing to the observed symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. Chronic liver disease may alter toxicokinetics of lead leading to impaired elimination. Elevated blood lead concentrations would favour the progress of infective liver disease through its immunosupressive effect
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Lead/blood , Lead/toxicity , Risk Factors , Hepatic Encephalopathy , Spectrophotometry, Atomic , Liver Function Tests , Sodium , Potassium , Kidney Function Tests , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
The concentration of lead was determined in hair and blood of 90 exposed workers and 100 non exposed workers. Urinary 8 amino levulenic acid was also determined in both groups. Hair was obtained from the scalp, chest and pubic region. The mean scalp hair lead concentrations weie 48.6, 18.2, ug/gm of hair in both exposed and non exposed workers respectively. The mean chest hair lead concentrations were 45.4, 14.3 and that for pubic hair leach concentrations were 40.5, 9.4 in the same groups. Hair lead concentration was highly correlated with blood lead concentration, but there is no significant correlation with urinary 8 amino levulinic acid