Assessment of the effect of lead exposure on the cardiovascular system among workers in battery industry

The effects of chronic lead exposure on cardiovascular system were investigated in the workers in the Battery industry at chloride company. One hundred [100] workers exposed to lead were randomly selected., also [50] fifty workers who have never been exposed to lead before, of comparable age group and socioeconomic standard were randomly selected to be the control group. General clinical examination, cardiovascular monifestations [by an observation sheet], blood pressure determination pattern [total lipids, cholesterol and ists fractions, triglycerides and B/A lipoproteins] were determined, also lactic acid dehydrogenase and lactic acid iso enzymes estimation were performed. The atmospheric lead concentration was found to be 0.039-0.28 ug/m3. The present study showed high prevalence of cardiovascular manifestations [28%] and hypertension [30%] among exposed workers with significant correlation between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and some parameters of lipogram pattern on one hand with blood lead and urinary delta amino levulenic acid. So, we can conclude that a systemic blood pressure control program with blood lead and urinary delta amino levulenic acid estimation, together with determination of lipogram pattern of the workers exposed to lead may be considered as avaluble procedure in assessing the severity of lead effects in individual cases, the application of control measures and in preventing the development of cardiovascular diseases and / or the occurrence of irreversible chronic lead toxicity

Neurological dysfunctions among workers exposed to inorganic lead

This study was carried out to detect the electroencephalographic [EEG] changes as well as its pattern and to study the relation between motor conduction and presence of EEG changes among workers exposed to inorganic lead. Twenty workers occupationally exposed to inorganic lead and another twenty workers not exposed to lead were chosen as index and control groups respectively. The following investigations were performed for both groups. haemoglobin [Hb], blood lead [BPb], urine delta aminolevulinic acid [ALA], motor nerve conduction velocity [MNCV] and distal latency [DL] of right radial nerve, and EEG. EEG chages were significantly more among exposed group [5 workers, 25%] than control group [0%]. Left temporal discharge was noticed among the five workers and generalized bilateral epileptic activity among only 2 of them. Among exposed group, no significant differences were seen between exposed workers with and those without EEG changes as regards all investigations. There were insignificant correlations between duration of exposure, BPb, urine ALA, MNCV and DL, and presence of EEG changes among exposed workers

Acido delta aminolevulínico dehidrasa en pacientes en programa de hemodiálisis / Delta aminolevulinic acid dehydrase in hemodialysis patients

Pacientes insuficientes renales crónicos sometidos a programa de hemodiálisis, pueden presentar un síndrome similar al observado en la porfiria cutánea tarda, que se deberían a fallas en la síntesis de las porfirias por alteraciones metabólicas que acompañan el compromiso renal. En 49 pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis se encontró la actividad de la ácido delta-aminolevulínico dehidrasa (ALA-d) de glóbulos rojos significativamente disminuida respecto del valor normal (2,18 + - 0,82 vs. 3,10 + - 1,36 U/mg protína). La presencia de Zn+2 10-4 M restablecela actividad del ALA-d a valores normales. Plasma de pacientes hemodializados en el medio de incubación de la ALA-d de glóbulos rojos normales no produce inhibición significativa de la actividad enzimática. La concentración sanguínea de glutación (GSH) se encontró disminuida en los hemodializados respecto de los normales (4,6 + - 2.1 vs. 5,8 + - 1.7 umol/ml sangre), existiendo correlación (p<0,01) entre GSH y la actividad de la ALA-d en glóbulos rojos. El plomo en sangre en la población hemodializada estudiada (0,001 a 0,013 mg/100 g) estaba dentro de los valores normales (hasta 0,30 mg/100 g), lo que se descarta contaminación por este metal en los hemodializados. Los bajos niveles de GSH y de Zn+2 explicarían la disminución de actividad de la ALA-d en glóbulos rojos de pacientes en programa de hemodiálisis

Potenciales evocados somatosensitivos en una poblacion cronicamente intoxicada con plomo / Somatosensory evoked potentials in a population with chronic lead intoxication

Once pacientes con cifras elevadas de plombemia y disminuidas de delta aminolevulínico dehidrasa (ALA D), fueron estudiados mediante la realización de potenciales evocados somatosensitivos obtenidos por estimulación del nervio mediano, midiendo el ingreso medular, el arribo cortical y el tiempo de conducción central (TCC). Los datos fueron comparados con controles. Se correlacionaron con las determinaciones bioquímicas y con el tiempo de exposición al tóxico. Por encima del limite superior control, se encontró el ingreso medular en tres pacientes, el arribo cortical en quatro y el TCC en tres. Los valores de N13,N20 y TCC no mostraron correlación con los parámetros bioquímicos ni con el tiempo de exposición al tóxico. Estos hallazgos sugieren que, si bien la neuropatía periférica condiciona el retraso del ingreso medular y del arribo cortical, es probable que exista también compromiso de la mielina central en algunos de los pacientes crónicamente expuestos