Biology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2010 Mar;213(2):99-106. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2010.01.005. Epub 2010 Feb 12.
Lead (Pb) is a widely used heavy metal with a broad industrial usage. Nevertheless, Pb is a serious public health issue as it is one of the most widespread environmental and industrial toxins. The aim of this investigation was to assess the genotoxicity of Pb using the comet assay, micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CA) test. Blood and urinary Pb content, levels of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase in the erythrocytes (E-ALAD) and delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (U-ALA) were determined. The exposure associated oxidative stress was also studied. The study group comprised of 90 male Pb recovery unit workers and 90 matched controls. The results indicated that the exposed workers had a significantly higher mean comet tail length than that of controls (P<0.05). Analysis of micronuclei in buccal epithelial cells (BEC's) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) revealed that there was a significant increase in frequency of MN in exposed subjects than controls. The frequency of aberrant metaphases was also found to be significantly elevated in the Pb exposed workers. The levels of antioxidant enzymes were relatively reduced (P>0.05) while the rate of lipid peroxidation was higher in the exposed subjects. Blood and urinary Pb concentrations were found to be higher in exposed workers than in controls. E-ALAD levels were reduced and U-ALA levels were elevated in the exposed subjects in comparison to controls. Results of analysis, taking the confounding factors into consideration provide evidence for the association of Pb exposure and genotoxicity, and predict the increased risk of cancer to the exposed workers. In view of the observed results, it can be strongly concluded that the workers comprise the risk group and adequate safety, precautionary and preventive measures could only minimize exposure and the related health hazards.
铅（Pb）是一种广泛使用的重金属，具有广泛的工业用途。然而，由于它是最广泛的环境和工业毒素之一，因此是一个严重的公共卫生问题。本研究旨在使用彗星试验、微核（MN）和染色体畸变（CA）试验评估 Pb 的遗传毒性。测定了血液和尿液中的 Pb 含量、红细胞中δ-氨基-γ-酮戊酸脱水酶（E-ALAD）和尿液中δ-氨基-γ-酮戊酸（U-ALA）的水平。还研究了与暴露相关的氧化应激。研究组包括 90 名男性 Pb 回收单位工人和 90 名匹配的对照。结果表明，暴露组工人的彗星尾巴平均长度明显长于对照组（P<0.05）。分析颊上皮细胞（BEC）和外周血淋巴细胞（PBL）中的微核表明，暴露组 MN 的频率明显高于对照组。还发现 Pb 暴露工人的异常中期分裂频率也显著升高。抗氧化酶的水平相对降低（P>0.05），而暴露组的脂质过氧化率较高。与对照组相比，暴露组的血液和尿液中的 Pb 浓度较高。与对照组相比，暴露组的 E-ALAD 水平降低，U-ALA 水平升高。考虑到混杂因素的分析结果为 Pb 暴露与遗传毒性之间的关联提供了证据，并预测暴露工人患癌症的风险增加。鉴于观察到的结果，可以强烈得出结论，工人属于风险群体，只有采取充分的安全、预防和预防措施才能最大限度地减少暴露和相关的健康危害。
