Plasma Lipid Peroxide Level in Workers Exposed to Lead

Violeta B. Tenchova1, Vera P. Petkova2, Sonya D. Pavlova2, Yuri P. Simeonov2

1 National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Sofia, Bulgaria
2 Clinic Centre of Occupational Diseases, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria
 
Corresponding author: Violeta Tenchova, Ph.D.
National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection
132, Kl. Ohridsky Blvd.
1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
Fax: (+359) 2-621-059
Tel.: (+359) 2-626-037

CEJOEM 1998, Vol.4. No.1.:45-50


Key words:
Occupational exposure, lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde, blood lead concentration

Abbreviations:
AAS – Atomic absorbtion spectrometer
GSH – Glutathione
LPO – Lipid peroxidation
MDA – Malondialdehyde
PbB – Blood lead concentration
SOD – Superoxide dismutase
TBA – Thiobarbituric acid
TVL – Treshold value limit 



Abstract:
The investigation involved 94 male workers occupationally exposed to lead (PbB – 2.00 ± 0.74 mmol/l). 18 male subjects from the administrative staff of the same plant (PbB – 1.30 ± 0.35 mmol/l) and 42 males from non-contamined area (PbB – 0.86 ± 0.18 mmol/l). The plasma malondialdehyde concentration (4.56 ± 0.65 nmol/ ml) was significantly higher in workers exposed to lead than in donors from administrative staff (3.90 ± 0.22 nmol/ml) and non-contaminated area (3.62 ± 0.46nmol/ml). A positive correlation (r = 0.596) between MDA level and blood lead concentration in workers occupationally exposed to lead was observed. 

Received: 12 November 1997
Accepted: 2 February 1998 
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Posted: 15 November 1998