Blood Pressure and Lipid Profile in Automechanics in Relation to Lead Exposure

Effect of Lead Exposure and Lifestyle Factors on Methylation Index Markers Among Pb-Exposed Workers

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and the ratio of SAM and SAH in Pb-exposed workers need to be assessed. In this study, we investigated the effects of Pb exposure on SAM, SAH, and methylation index (MI) in Pb-exposed workers with contemplation of lifestyle factors. Blood lead levels (BLLs), SAM, SAH, MI, and lifestyle factors were assessed in 338 male Pb-exposed workers. BLLs are estimated by ICP-OES method. SAM and SAH levels in serum were determined by ELISA method. The MI was calculated using SAM and SAH individual values. The lifestyle factors were collected using standard questionnaire. Levels of SAM and MI were significantly decreased with increased age, experience > 5 years, habits of tobacco chewing, smoking, alcohol consumption, and BLLs 10-30, 30-50, and > 50 µg/dL. Levels of SAH were significantly increased with increased age, habits of tobacco chewing and smoking, and BLLs 10-30, 30-50, and > 50 µg/dL. The association between BLLs and methylation index markers (SAM and MI) was reported as negative and significant. The association between BLLs and SAH was noted positive and significant. The influence of BLLs and lifestyle factors on SAM was noted at 12%, SAH at 35%, and MI at 27%, respectively. The highest percentage of influence was noted in SAH, followed by MI and SAM. In the workers exposed to Pb, lifestyle factors resulted in decreased SAM and MI and increased SAH levels. Adaptation of healthy lifestyle factors, personal hygiene practices, and use of PPE were suggested to minimize the reduction of methylation index markers.

Interactions Between Toxic Metals and Serum Micronutrient Level in Auto-mechanics in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria: a Pilot study

Auto-mechanics who often work without safety measures are vulnerable to the harmful effects of toxic metals like lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). These toxic metals exert their deleterious effect by interacting with the micronutrients at their primary site of action. This study aimed to investigate the effects of toxic metal exposure on serum micronutrient levels of auto-mechanics in Nigeria. This case-control study involves 60 participants aged 18 to 45 years. The control group consists of 30 healthy male staff of University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. The test group consists of 30 male auto-mechanics recruited from their workshops in the Bodija and Olodo areas of Ibadan, Nigeria. Blood lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), plasma iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) were quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) method. Results show that systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and plasma levels of Pb and Cd were significantly higher in the auto-mechanic group when compared with control, while there were significantly lower levels of micronutrients: Fe, Zn, Mn, and Se when compared with control (p < 0.05). The plasma levels of Ca and Mg were not statistically different in the two groups. Also, there was a significant negative relationship between Cd and Zn (r =  - 0.38, p = 0.001), a weak positive relationship (r = 0.46, p = 0.001) between Pb and SBP, and a weak non-significant negative relationship between Pb and Se (r = 0.4, p = 0.11) in the auto-mechanics. The chronic exposure to Pb and Cd in auto-mechanics is associated with elevated blood pressure and reduced micronutrients levels which can impact negatively on their health.

The Relationships Between Blood Pb Levels and Blood Pressure Among Lead-Exposed Workers in China: A Repeated-Measure Study

OBJECTIVES

To explore the differences in the increase of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in 3 consecutive years among lead (Pb) workers.

METHODS

Four hundred forty-eight Pb workers were enrolled in this repeated-measure study. Blood Pb, SBP, and DBP were measured in 2015 to 2017. Repeated measure of analysis of variance was used to compare the differences in the increase of SBP and DBP.

RESULTS

The mean SBP values were 124.0/125.5/126.9 mm Hg, and the mean DBP values were 75.4/77.4/77.8 mm Hg from 2015 to 2017. The differences in the increase of SBP and DBP were 2.94/2.42 mm Hg during the 3-year period. The average annual increase of SBP or DBP showed an upward trend in different Pb dose groups ( F = 4.904, P = 0.002; F = 3.612, P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

Lead exposure caused average annual increases in SBP and DBP with 0.98 and 0.81 mm Hg, which provided basic data for health surveillance.

Cardiovascular risk factors and kidney function among automobile mechanic and their association with serum heavy metals in Southwest Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

The burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is huge due to its associated morbidity, mortality and adverse socio-economic impact. Environmental pollution as a risk factor contributes significantly to the burden of CVD, especially in the low and middle income countries. One of the effective strategies to reduce CVD burden is to prevent or detect cardiovascular risk factors early in at-risk population. This study determined some cardiovascular risk factors, kidney function, and their association with heavy metals among automobile mechanics.

METHOD

This was a cross-sectional study involving 162 automobile mechanics and 81 age and sex matched controls. Serum levels of lead, cadmium and some cardiovascular risks were assessed and compared in the two groups. Associations between serum lead, cadmium and some cardiovascular risks were determined using correlation analysis. P value of <0.05 was taken as significant.

RESULTS

The mean ages of the automobile mechanics and controls were 47.27±9.99 years and 48.94±10.34 years, respectively. The prevalence of elevated serum cadmium was significantly higher in the automobile mechanics (25.9% vs 7.9%; p = <0.001). The significant cardiovascular risk factors in the automobile mechanics vs controls were elevated total cholesterol (32.1% vs 18.5%; p = 0.017), hyperuricemia (20.4% vs 1.2%; p = <0.001), elevated blood glucose (16.0% vs 4.9% p = 0.013); and alcohol use (55.1% vs 30.0%; p = 0.001). Among the automobile mechanics, there were significant positive correlations between serum cadmium, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) (p = 0.024; r = 0.382) and triglyceride (p = 0.020; r = 0.391). Significant positive correlation was found between serum lead and neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) (p = <0.001; r = 0.329). There were significant positive correlation between serum cadmium level, AIP (p = 0.016; r = 0.373) and TG (p = 0.004; r = 0.439); between serum lead and NGAL in all the study participants (p = 0.005; r = 0.206).

CONCLUSION

Automobile mechanics have notable exposure to heavy metals and a higher prevalence of some cardiovascular risk factors. Health education and sensitisation as well as policies that would regulate exposure of persons to heavy metals should be implemented in Nigeria.