Showing 7 results for Lead
Golmohammadi T, Ansari M, Nikzamir A, Safary R, Elahi S,
Volume 65, Issue 8 (11-2007)
Abstract
Background: Lead poisoning has proven to be one of the most important environmental health problems among developing countries with both direct and indirect effects on human life. Lead is known to cross the blood-brain barrier and placenta, and accumulates in soft and hard tissues. Lead can be excreted in urine, stool, milk, sweat, nails and saliva. During pregnancy and lactation, lead is released from bones into the blood along with Ca2+. The toxic effects of lead on various human tissues have been studied extensively, but few studies have addressed its impact on fetal development during pregnancy. Blood levels of lead are higher in people living in lead-polluted regions. It has been reported that Tehran (central and southern parts) is the most problematic city in terms of lead poisoning.
Methods: From 86 sets of mothers and newborns in a non-polluted area of rural Rasht, Iran, we examined specimens of maternal blood, cord blood and colostrum (86×3=258) and specimens from 85 sets of mothers and newborns in a polluted area of Tehran, Iran (85×3=255) for lead levels using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and analyzed the results by t-test, SPSS, and linear regression.
Results: The mean blood lead concentrations of mothers, cord blood of newborns and colostrum were 7.6±4.1, 5.9±3 and 4.2±2.5 μg/dl, respectively, in the non-polluted area and 9.1±8.4, 6.5±5.2 and 5.8±5.5 μg/dl, respectively, in the polluted area. The mean weights of the newborns in non-polluted and polluted areas were 3.2±0.5 kg and 3.2±4.5 kg, respectively.
Conclusions: Our data revealed an association between mean concentrations in blood lead of mothers and newborns and between mean concentrations of colostrum lead and newborn blood lead in both areas (p=0.01). There was no association between mean blood lead concentration of mothers with the weight of their newborns (p=0.89).
Badalzadeh R, Norouzzadeh A, Asgari A, Khoshbaten A,
Volume 65, Issue 12 (3-2008)
Abstract
Background: Exposure to low levels of lead increases blood pressure in humans and animals. Although there are controversial reports about the exact mechanisms of lead-induced hypertension, many factors such as alteration in the cardiovascular responsiveness to endogenous substances including catecholamines could be one of the mechanisms involved. In the present study, the effect of lead acetate on the systolic blood pressure and responsiveness to β-adrenergics was investigated in rats.
Methods: Through their drinking water, three groups of rats were exposed to 100 ppm lead acetate for periods of 4, 8 or 12 weeks. The blood pressures of the rats were monitored throughout the study. The rat hearts were isolated and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution (pH=7.4) at 37˚C and gassed with 95% O2 + 5% CO2. The heart rate (chronotropic) and contractile (inotropic) responses were recorded before and after adding isoproterenol at multiple concentrations to the perfusion solution.
Results: The mean blood pressures in the 8 and 12-week lead-treated groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). The chronotropic response to many doses of isoproterenol was significantly increased in the 12-week lead-treated group compared to that of the control group (P<0.05). The inotropic response to this drug was significantly increased in both the 8- and 12-week lead-treated rats (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively).
Conclusions: Our results indicate that low-levels of lead increase systolic blood pressure as well as both chronotropic and inotropic effects of β-adrenergics, which could imply an important role in the pathogenesis of lead-induced hypertension.
Baigmohammadi Mt, Mohammadi M, Mahmoodpour A, Karvandian K, Aghdashi M,
Volume 66, Issue 7 (10-2008)
Abstract
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Background: Lead poisoning could be associated with
gastrointestinal renal, hematologic complications and neurologic deficit.
Case report: The patient was an opium addict, forty
one years old male, to hospital admitted with gastrointestinal signs,
constipation, abdominal pain, severe weakness of upper and lower limbs without
any sensory impairment and with anemia, leukocytosis, and slightly increased
liver function tests. Serum level of lead was more than 200µg/dl.
After treatment with dimercaprol (BAL),
CaNa2EDTA
for two five days sessions that followed with oral succimer for three days,
signs and symptoms relieved, all laboratory tests became normal and blood level
of lead reduced but the patient was discharged with quadriplegia. There was no
fecal or urinary incontinence.
Conclusions: Because of irreversibility and severity of lead related neuronal injury,
we should suspect to lead poisoning in each patient with neuronal involvement
and concurrent GI and hematologic signs.
Nastaran Khosravi , Nasrin Khalesi , Samileh Noorbakhsh , Azardokht Tabatabaei , Bahman Ahmadi , Ramin Asgarian , Shima Javadi-Nia,
Volume 72, Issue 8 (11-2014)
Abstract
Background: Assessment of the serum lead’s concentration in the newborn immediately after birth can be effective for the detection of lead poisoning in the early stages and prevent of developmental disorders and neuropsychiatric behaviors. This study aimed to assess the serum lead levels of cord blood in some of the hospitalized newborns.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study conducted in the newborns ward of two hospitals (Rasoul Akram and Akbar Abadi) From December 2011 to October 2012 in Tehran, Iran. After non-probability sampling, 60 newborns in the first days after birth, underwent the cord blood sampling and the cord blood lead levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Then all of data were collected and analyzed. The serum lead concentration greater than 5 μg/dl was considered valuable.
Results: In total, 61.4% of samples were boys. The mean (±SD) of gestational age was 37.4±2.64 weeks and mean (±SD) of birth weight was 2701±642.8g. The mean (±SD) of maternal age was 29.20±6.73 years. 70% of mothers were urban. 13% of mothers had a history of drug use, and 5% were current smokers. The mean (±SD) of the serum lead level of cord blood was 2.97±2.24 μg/dl. This level was not associated with fetal gender, place of residence, drug history and current smoking. This level in the 16.7% of samples was greater than 5 μg/dl (high risk cases). High risk level was associated with maternal age, weight and fetal age (P=0.02, P=0.004, P=0.03), but this level was not associated with fetal gender, place of residence, drug history and current smoking.
Conclusion: Serum lead level of cord blood was relatively higher than other studies, although the prevalence of the high risk newborns (serum blood lead levels greater than 5 μg/dl) was low. Further research has recommended assessing the serum lead level in other newborns in the different areas to identify risk factors of neuromotor outcome in infants to prevent.
Ladan Afshar Khas , Azardokht Tabatabaei , Samileh Noorbakhsh , Atefeh Kargozar ,
Volume 73, Issue 7 (10-2015)
Abstract
Background: Convulsion is one of the common cause of hospital admission in children. Idiopathic seizure is when no anatomic, electrolytic, metabolic or hemorrhagic causes are found. Recently, lead poisoning, which is considered when serum lead levels are higher than the normal levels (previously 10 &mug/dl changed to 5 &mug/dl). Even lower levels of lead inflict harmful consequences in central nervous system (CNS) development in pediatric group. Due to air pollution and high lead level in air of Tehran, investigation the probable role of lead in producing or predisposing convulsion in children is very important. To determine the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lead level in children with idiopathic convulsion in compare with nonconvulsive ones (control). Methods: A case-control study upon 60 children (30 convulsive and 30 nonconvulsive control) admitted in Rasoul Akram and Ali Asghar University Hospitals, Tehran, from 2012 to 2013 had done. One ml of CSF obtained and lead level determined by atomic absorption test. Results: The mean age between cases and controls was not different (mean= 30.18+27.36 vs 25.46±20.56 months, P= 0.1). The CSF lead level (&mug/dl) had not meaningful difference between 2 groups (3.43+3.07 vs 2.78+2.77, P= 0.3), and no related to type of convulsion in cases (P= 0.7), the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.588 1-0.433, P= 0.2). The CSF lead cutoff was 1.65 &mug/dl sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 46%, PPV and NPV was 56% and 60% respectively. Conclusion: The toxic blood level for lead is 3.5 &mug/dl. The CSF lead level even in little amount (1.65 &mug/dl) is an acceptable sensitivity but lower specificity for differentiation the convulsive from nonconvulsive children. Although the role of genetic and other causes should be considered in idiopathic convulsion, probably, the high level of lead in CSF could predispose those children to convulsion. It can effect CNS development in children even in small amounts. Indeed, long-term effects of lead which continue to adulthood should be considered as well. Hence, it is paramount to rectify the ambient air lead pollution in Tehran.
Saeed Nouri , Anahita Zoghi , Mohammad Reza Sharif , Najla Farhang , Maziar Shojaei ,
Volume 76, Issue 7 (10-2018)
Abstract
Background: Each toxic agent results in unique presentations, depending on what neurophysiological changes occur following exposure. Scientific understanding of lead toxicity in the organ systems and at low levels of exposure continues to evolve. However, effects of lead poisoning on the thyroid gland function are controversial. In this descriptive study, changes in thyroid hormones in patients with lead poisoning were compared with patients with opioid addiction and healthy individual who were matched for age and sex.
Methods: In this descriptive study, which was conducted from March 2016 to February 2017 in Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran, ninety patients were evaluated using convenient sampling method for lead and thyroid hormones levels. The levels of lead and thyroid hormones were evaluated using standard laboratory method, in thirty male patients with lead poisoning, thirty male patients with opioid addiction referring to addiction treatment center and thirty healthy male referring to a blood donation center who were matched for age. Thyroid function parameters in patients with lead toxicity were compared with those of control groups.
Results: The lead level in the lead toxicity group was 57.5±23.5 µg/dl, in the first control group with opium addiction 7.8±3.8 µg/dl and in the healthy male referring to a blood donation center, 5.9±9 µg/dl. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was significantly lower in patients with lead poisoning (0.2±0.01 Milli-International Units Per Liter (mIU/L) than in the patients with opioid addiction (2.4±1/05 mIU/L) and healthy male referring to a blood donation center (2.3±0.01 mIU/L) (P= 0.04), and thyroxine hormone (T4) was significantly higher in patients with lead poisoning (17.8±2.6 µg/dl) than in the patients with opioid addiction (8.8±1/9 µg/dl) and healthy male referring to a blood donation center (7.4±3.5 µg/dl) (P= 0.02).
Conclusion: Lead toxicity has an effect on thyroid function and it reduces thyroid stimulating hormone and increases thyroxin levels. Clinicians should be aware of the potential hazardous effects of lead on the thyroid and mechanisms through which lead causes these effects on thyroid function need to be elucidated.
Behzad Hatami , Saeed Abdi , Hosein Noori, Hamid Mehrad,
Volume 80, Issue 1 (4-2022)
Abstract
Background: Exposure to lead, damages vital organs and is now a global concern. Toxic effects of lead on the liver and thyroid gland have been mentioned previously, sometimes with conflicting results. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess changes in liver and thyroid function tests in patients with lead poisoning.
Methods: This case-control study was performed on 100 patients with clinical evidence of lead poisoning who were referred to Loghman-e-Hakim hospital in Tehran from April to December 2018. Also, another 100 participants with the matched sex and age, a history of opium use, and exposure to lead or non-work-related metals, and with normal lead levels, were considered as a control group. Demographic information was collected by a trained researcher by reviewing hospital records or interviewing participants. To monitor lead levels in the control group, 5 ml of venous blood was collected from the antecubital vein at 7 to 8 am in sterile tubes containing EDTA as an anticoagulant. Serum lead levels were assessed by GBC Avanta atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Values in the two groups were compared. SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, Il, The USA) was used for data analysis. A P-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean level of serum lead in case and control groups were 63.0±12.4 μg/dL and 6.0±2.1 μg/dL, respectively with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). However, Alkaline phosphatase (ALKp), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes were significantly higher in cases compared to controls (p<0.001). The thyroid-stimulating hormone in patients with lead poisoning (0.3±0.04 MIU/L) was significantly lower than those in the control group (2.5±1.23) (P=0.04).
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Conclusion: Lead poisoning could potentially damage liver function and elevate liver enzymes. Moreover, it can also affect the levels of TSH and levothyroxine. Understanding the exact mechanisms might help to control The hepatotoxic effects of lead in patients. Also, knowing the pattern of elevated liver enzymes and thyroid hormones changes might help discriminate lead poisoning with other differential diagnoses.
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