engleski

Serum calcium, zinc, and copper in relation to biomarkers of lead and cadmium in men

Many experimental animal studies have shown that relatively high doses of calcium (Ca) and zinc (Zn), and possibly copper (Cu), can reduce the toxicity of several metals including lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). On the other hand, very few data are available on the possible influence of exposure to Pb and/or Cd on the Ca, Zn, and Cu status in humans. The present study evaluates the combined influence of Pb, Cd, age, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption on serum concentrations of calcium (SCa), zinc (SZn), and copper (SCu) in male subjects with chronic low to moderate Pb exposure. In a cross-sectional study of 299 healthy male Croatian subjects 20-55 years of age, including 143 Pb workers and 156 control subjects, the interrelationship of blood lead (BPb), activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP), blood cadmium (BCd), age, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption with respect to SCa, SZn, and SCu levels was calculated by forward stepwise multiple regression. In separate regression models considering each of the biomarkers of Pb (BPb, ALAD, and EP) with the remaining potential explanatory variables (BCd, age, smoking, and alcohol), a decrease in SCa was significantly predictive by an increasing EP (P < 10-5), or by an increasing log BPb (P < 0.0001), or by a decreasing ALAD (P < 0.001). A decrease in SZn was significantly predictive by a decreasing ALAD (P < 10-13), or by an increasing log BPb (P < 10-13), or by an increasing EP (P < 0.005) and BCd (P < 0.05). A decrease in SCu was significantly predictive by an increasing log BPb (P < 0.0005) and a decreasing smoking (P < 0.005) and age (P < 0.05), or by a decreasing ALAD (P < 0.01), smoking (P < 0.01), and age (P < 0.05). The study results indicate that chronic moderate Pb exposure can significantly decrease SZn and SCa, and to a lesser extent SCu, whereas Cd exposure may contribute to a decrease in SZn. This is relevant when evaluating possible mechanisms of the Pb- and/or Cd-induced adverse health effects in humans.

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