Reassessment of the threshold of the blood lead level to increase urinary δ‐aminolevulinic acid based on their relationship in recent lead workers in Japan

AbstractBackground: To evaluate whether salivary lead can be used as a surrogate for blood lead, and if so, over what concentration range.Methodology: Three saliva devices were evaluated and one chosen to undertake this project. Paired saliva and blood samples were collected from 89 UK lead workers. Lead concentrations were determined using ICP-MS. In addition, haemoglobin and ZPP levels were determined in the blood samples and albumin was determined in the saliva samples to investigate standardisation using protein adjustments.Results: The chosen saliva device gave low but consistent recoveries for lead in saliva and the blank levels were low. The mean +/- SD blood lead level was 19.9 +/- 14 μg/dl; the mean +/- SD saliva lead level was 19.1 +/- 32.5 μg/l for 89 workers. Log10-transformed data showed correlation of r=0.69. The protein adjustments did not improve the blood-saliva correlation.Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that salivary lead measurement is feasible and correlated with blood lead levels, at least at occupational exposure levels, and may have value as a screening technique. Correlation may improve at environmental levels where exposures are generally more consistent and chronic, although this needs to be demonstrated in a genuine environmental population.

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The threshold of the delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activities reduced by lead (Pb) exposure could be 10 μg/dL without modification of ALAD G177C genotypes in Chinese Han Taiwanese.

10.20944/preprints201809.0020.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Chan-Ching Huang ◽

Te-Yu Liu ◽

Chen-Cheng Yang ◽

Chao-Ling Wang ◽

Su-Shin Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aminolevulinic Acid ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Additive Models ◽

P Value ◽

Health Examination ◽

Chinese Han ◽

Acid Dehydratase ◽

Alad Activity ◽

Lead Workers

Background: Lead inhibits the enzymes in the heme biosynthesis, mainly the δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activities. The aims of this study was to establish ALAD activity assay in Taiwan and analyzed the effects of lead exposure on hematological system and the ALAD activity with the modification of the ALAD genotypes. Methods: Among 121 lead workers and 117 non-exposed workers, the data were from health examination. ALAD activity was determined by the standardized method of the European Community. ALAD genotyping was using a method of PCR-RFLP. For finding a threshold effect, we used generalized additive models (GAM) and scatter plots with smoothing curve, in addition to multiple regression methods. Results: There were 229 ALAD1-1 homozygotes, 9 ALAD1-2 heterozygotes were identified, and none of ALAD2-2 homozygote. Lead workers had significantly lower ALAD activity than non-exposed group (41.6 ± 22.1 vs. 63.3 ± 14.0 U/L, p-value < 0.001). The results of multiple regressions showed the blood lead level (BLL) was profound factor associated with ALAD activity inversely. The possible threshold of BLL affecting ALAD activity was around 10 μg/dL. Conclusions: ALAD activity was inhibited by blood lead, which could be a threshold of 10 ug/dL, which ALAD activity may be adopted as a biomarker of health examination for lead workers.

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Use of Generalized Additive Model to Detect the Threshold of δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Activity Reduced by Lead Exposure

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17165712 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (16) ◽

pp. 5712

Author(s):

Chan-Ching Huang ◽

Chen-Cheng Yang ◽

Te-Yu Liu ◽

Chia-Yen Dai ◽

Chao-Ling Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lead Exposure ◽

Aminolevulinic Acid ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Additive Models ◽

Acid Dehydratase ◽

Alad Activity ◽

Exposed Workers ◽

Lead Workers ◽

Dehydratase Activity

Background: Lead inhibits the enzymes in heme biosynthesis, mainly reducing δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, which could be an available biomarker. The aim of this study was to detect the threshold of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity reduced by lead exposure. Methods: We collected data on 121 lead workers and 117 non-exposed workers when annual health examinations were performed. ALAD activity was determined by the standardized method of the European Community. ALAD G177C (rs1800435) genotyping was conducted using the polymerase chain reaction and restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. In order to find a threshold effect, we used generalized additive models (GAMs) and scatter plots with smoothing curves, in addition to multiple regression methods. Results: There were 229 ALAD1-1 homozygotes and 9 ALAD1-2 heterozygotes identified, and no ALAD2-2 homozygotes. Lead workers had significantly lower ALAD activity than non-exposed workers (41.6 ± 22.1 vs. 63.3 ± 14.0 U/L, p < 0.001). The results of multiple regressions showed that the blood lead level (BLL) was an important factor inversely associated with ALAD activity. The possible threshold of BLL affecting ALAD activity was around 5 μg/dL. Conclusions: ALAD activity was inhibited by blood lead at a possible threshold of 5 μg/dL, which suggests that ALAD activity could be used as an indicator for lead exposure regulation.

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Effect of a short, heavy exposure to lead dust upon blood lead level, erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity and urinary excretion of lead delta-aminolevulinic acid coproporphyrin. Results of a 6-month follow-up of two male subjects.

Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health ◽

10.5271/sjweh.2812 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 176-184 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Andrejs Schütz ◽

Staffan Skerfving

Keyword(s):

Urinary Excretion ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Aminolevulinic Acid ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Acid Dehydratase ◽

Lead Dust ◽

Dehydratase Activity ◽

Male Subjects

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Association between Blood Lead Level and Gout: The United States National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey 2007-2016

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3537105 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Man-Fung Tsoi ◽

Bernard Man Yung Cheung ◽

Chak Sing Lau ◽

Tommy Cheung

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

National Health ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

The United States

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Blood lead level and risk of hypertension in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2016

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82435-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Man Fung Tsoi ◽

Chris Wai Hang Lo ◽

Tommy Tsang Cheung ◽

Bernard Man Yung Cheung

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

The United States ◽

Study Data ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Environmental Lead ◽

Lead Levels

AbstractLead is a heavy metal without a biological role. High level of lead exposure is known to be associated with hypertension, but the risk at low levels of exposure is uncertain. In this study, data from US NHANES 1999–2016 were analyzed. Adults with blood lead and blood pressure measurements, or self-reported hypertension diagnosis, were included. If not already diagnosed, hypertension was defined according to the AHA/ACC 2017 hypertension guideline. Results were analyzed using R statistics version 3.5.1 with sample weight adjustment. Logistic regression was used to study the association between blood lead level and hypertension. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated. Altogether, 39,477 participants were included. Every doubling in blood lead level was associated with hypertension (OR [95%CI] 1.45 [1.40–1.50]), which remained significant after adjusting for demographics. Using quartile 1 as reference, higher blood lead levels were associated with increased adjusted odds of hypertension (Quartile 4 vs. Quartile 1: 1.22 [1.09–1.36]; Quartile 3 vs. Quartile 1: 1.15 [1.04–1.28]; Quartile 2 vs. Quartile 1: 1.14 [1.05–1.25]). In conclusion, blood lead level is associated with hypertension in the general population with blood lead levels below 5 µg/dL. Our findings suggest that reducing present levels of environmental lead exposure may bring cardiovascular benefits by reducing blood pressure.

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