CaNa2EDTA chelation attenuates cell damage in workers exposed to lead--a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Lead exposure causes oxidative cellular damage and increases the risk of chronic diseases.
• Chelation therapy with CaNa2EDTA can remove toxic metals and reduce free radical production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of CaNa2EDTA chelation therapy on lead-induced cellular damage.
• To assess the restoration of enzyme activities and lipid homeostasis in lead-exposed workers.

Main Methods:

• A five-day CaNa2EDTA chelation intervention was administered to smelting factory workers with lead intoxication.
• Biomarkers of oxidative stress, enzyme activity (Cu, Zn-SOD, CAT, AChE, BChE, PON 1), lipid peroxidation (MDA), DNA damage, and LDH isoenzymes were measured before and after treatment.

Main Results:

• Chelation therapy restored elevated antioxidant enzyme activity and depleted thiols towards normal levels.
• Significant reduction in DNA damage (18.9%) and lipid peroxidation (MDA levels) was observed post-chelation.
• Chelation re-established butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity and reversed depressed serum paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) activity.

Conclusions:

• CaNa2EDTA chelation therapy ameliorates lead-mediated oxidative stress and associated cellular damage.
• The treatment shows potential benefits in reducing health risks in lead-exposed populations.
• Chelation therapy can help restore biochemical parameters altered by lead exposure.