[Biochemical evaluation of damage due to lead: importance and significance of erythrocyte zinc-protoporhyrin IX and urinary amino acid determination].

The early detection of lead intoxitation needs practical, simple, reproducible and diagnostically valid screening test. The determination of ALA-D (delta-amino-levulinic acid-dehydratase) in erythrocytes is one of the most reliable test for the evaluation of the occupational exposure to lead. However this test is difficult to standardize, sensible to lead contamination of laboratory glassware and the activity of enzyme decreases rapidly if stored. The determination of erythrocytes ZPP (zinco-protoporphyrin IX) was proposed as useful, alternative test. The protoporphyrin IX is a metabolic intermediate in heme biosynthesis; in erythrocytes is present as free form and zinc-boundend compound. The ZPP give high values only in lead intoxication and sideropenic anemia. The ALA-D and ZPP in erythrocytes were measured and compared in a group of workers exposed to lead. We have shown a good correlation between these two biochemical parameters. Aminoacid excretion in urine from workers exposed to lead was measured and compared with other biochemical parameters of intoxication. All lead workers examined had excessive urinary CP (coproporphyrin) and ALA (delta-amino-levulinic acid) excretion. An abnormal excretion of glycine was present in eight workers (32%), whereas in other four (15%) the glycinuria was at limit of normal values. An abnormal excretion of lysine was present in six workers (21%). The last data appear very interesting because the action of lead in lysine metabolism was not known.