Relationship between lead absorption and iron status and its association with oxidative stress markers in lead-exposed workers

Background: The emission of lead (Pb) occurring during the extraction, processing and industrial applications of this element remains a significant environmental risk factor. The absorbability of lead in humans is strongly associated with the general health status of exposed individuals. Existing mineral deficiencies are considered being a predisposition to an increased Pb uptake. Both, iron deficiency and lead poisoning are the major causative factors responsible for the prevalence of anemia within the vulnerable population, especially in children. Although some of the intervention programs of counteracting lead poisoning by iron supplementation proved to be effective in the Pb-exposed population, the exact mechanisms of this interaction still require further studies. The objective of the presented study was to examine the association of iron level on oxidative stress measures and its effects on the severity of lead toxicity in the exposed population. Methods: The analyzed population consisted of 270 male workers from the lead-zinc smelter. The studied population was divided into two sub-groups based on the serum iron concentration: low iron level group (L-Fe; Fe < median value) and high iron level group (H-Fe; Fe > median value). Measured traits comprised of blood lead (PbB), serum Fe and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels as well as a blood count and oxidative stress markers. Results: No significant correlation between serum iron concentration and PbB in the tested cohort was found. On the contrary, the analysis of ZPP levels (long-term marker related to a hematologic toxic effect of Pb) within the subgroups differing in serum Fe level shown that ZPP was 12.3 % lower (p = 0.043) in subjects classified within the H-Fe group. A positive correlation of serum Fe and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was found (R = 0.1999). The conducted 3-D PCA analysis showed that individuals classified within the H-Fe group were characterized by the co-occurrence of higher Fe levels, lower ZPP, and higher TAC value. Conclusion: These results support the existing evidence providing that maintaining the optimal status of Fe may play a significant role in preventing the lead poisoning and alleviating harmful effects of Pb on the oxidative balance in humans

Effect of Cadmium on Oxidative Stress Indices and Vitamin D Concentrations in Children

Heavy metal poisoning can have serious health consequences, including damage to the brain, kidneys, and other organs. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body over time and the exposure to this element has been linked to a variety of adverse health effects. Cadmium toxicity can lead to an imbalance in the cellular redox state and be a source of oxidative stress. On the molecular level, cadmium ions negatively affect cellular metabolism, including the disruption of energy production, protein synthesis, and DNA damage. The study has been carried out on a group of 140 school-age children (8 to 14 years old) inhabiting the industrialized areas of Upper Silesia. The study population was divided into two sub-groups based on the median concentration of cadmium in blood (0.27 mu g/L): Low-CdB and High-CdB. Measured traits comprised blood cadmium levels (CdB) as well as a blood count and selected oxidative stress markers. This research study aimed to demonstrate a correlation between the impact of exposure to elevated cadmium concentrations in a population of children and certain markers of oxidative stress, and 25-OH vitamin D3 concentration. A negative correlation has been found between cadmium concentration and 25-OH vitamin D3 level, protein sulfhydryl groups content in blood serum, glutathione reductase activity, and lipofuscin and malondialdehyde levels in erythrocytes. The concentration of 25-OH vitamin D-3 in the High-CdB group was decreased by 23%. The oxidative stress indices can be considered a valuable indicator of early Cd-toxicity effects to be included in the routinely-applied cadmium exposure monitoring parameters, allowing the evaluation of stress intensity to the cell metabolism