interrelationship between Zinc; Copper and Iron in Lead intoxicated subjects

Inhibition of Hb biosynthesis in lead intoxicated subjects appears as a result of disorder in the interaction of Cu, Zn and Fe ions on delta-Am-inolevulinic acid dehydratase. [ALA-D]. Elevation of free serum copper and decrease of serum iron and zinc are the main cause of ALAD inhibition. Thus, it is safe to suggest that administration of Zn orally leads to replacement of cu from catalytic sites of this enzyme which is known as a zinc dependent enzyme