Low-levels of blood lead and antioxidant status.

ABSTRACT

Lead is not an essential component of the human body, but it is always present due to extensive exposure and easy absorption in various forms. Lead affects virtually all systems of the body. Several metals can indirectly evoke the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) by way of disruption of normal calcium homeostasis. This is true, especially at high levels of blood lead. This study was undertaken to see if lead at low levels causes oxidative stress and damage. The level of total antioxidant status in blood was measured to indirectly indicate the extent of oxidative damage, and this was correlated with the blood lead levels. The results reveal that even at blood lead levels as low as 14.15μg/dl ± 4.8μg/dl, there is a significant decrease in the levels of total antioxidant status. The total antioxidant levels were 0.78 ± 0.25mmol/l in the lead-exposed as against 1.5 ± 0.76 mmol/l in the unexposed. This study supports the introduction of antioxidants along with chelation, as a regular treatment for lead poisoning cases, as also as a preventive measure against lead poisoning in persons exposed to different sources of lead.