Chromosomal Aberrations, Hormone Levels and Oxidative Phenotype (P450 2D6) in Low Occupational Lead Exposure

Daniela Pelclová1, Jana Pícková1, and Vìra Patzelová2

1 Department of Occupational Diseases, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
2 Centre of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases of the State Institute of Public Health, Prague
 
Corresponding author: Dr Daniela Pelclová
Department of Occupational Diseases,
Vyšehradská 49,
128 21 CZ-Prague,
Czech Republic
Tel/Fax +4202/293868,
e- mail: pelclova@mbox.cesnet.cz

CEJOEM 1997, Vol.3. No.4.:314-322


Key words:
Lead, chromosomal analysis, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, P450 2D6, coproporphyrins, 5-aminolevulinic acid.

Abbreviations:
AB.C. = aberrant cells
5-ALA = 5-aminolevulinic acid
ATSDR = Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
CP = coproporphyrins
FSH = follicle stimulating hormone
IARC = International Agency for Research on Cancer
LH = luteinizing hormone
EM = extensive metabolizer (of sparteine)
PM = poor metabolizer (of sparteine)
SD = standard deviation



Abstract:
Chromosomal analysis was carried out in peripheral lymphocytes in a group of 22 workers of a lead-battery plant with average blood lead concentration of 24.6 µg/100 ml, and in the control group of 21 controls with average blood lead concentration of 5.1 µg/100 ml. There was no statistical difference in the percentage of chromosomal aberrations between them. The blood levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the exposed group were in the normal range. Among the group of 22 lead exposed workers two poor metabolizers (PM) of sparteine were found, one PM was identified among the controls. The possible influence of lead exposure and elevated 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in vitro and in vivo on the activity of P450 is discussed. 

Received: 1 October 1997
Accepted: 12 December 1997 
| Back |
Posted: 16 November 1998