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Published on: October 12, 2017
HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA AS A PREDICTOR OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN LEAD-EXPOSED SUBJECTS
О Karlova1, A Grinzovskyy1, O Kuzminska1
1P.L. Shupyk National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kyiv; Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
Insights
Occupational lead exposure is linked to elevated homocysteine levels, a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study confirms lead as an independent marker for cardiovascular pathology in exposed workers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis and hypertension.
- Occupational exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, may influence homocysteine levels and cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between blood lead concentration and clinical manifestations in occupationally exposed men.
- To determine if lead exposure is associated with elevated homocysteine levels, a potential cardiovascular risk marker.
Main Methods:
- Study included 203 men (38-47 years old), with 146 occupationally exposed to lead and 57 controls.
- Blood homocysteine levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay (AXIS-SHIELD).
- Statistical analysis (parametric and nonparametric) was performed using Statistica for Windows 6.0.
Main Results:
- Elevated blood lead levels were observed in patients with cardiovascular disease manifestations.
- Workers with the highest homocysteine levels (18.32±0.9 μmol/l) showed the most significant clinical features, exceeding healthy subjects (10.22±0.56 μmol/l) by 1.79 times.
- A positive correlation was found between blood lead levels and serum homocysteine, indicating lead exposure is proportional to homocysteine increase.
Conclusions:
- Lead exposure is associated with increased homocysteine levels in occupationally exposed workers.
- Elevated homocysteine in lead-exposed individuals can be considered an independent risk factor and marker for cardiovascular pathology.
- Findings highlight the importance of monitoring lead exposure to mitigate cardiovascular risks.
Abstract:
Homocysteine is independent risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. Therefore, the aim of our study was to establish the relationship between the concentration of lead in the blood of patients who were in contact with this heavy metal at work and clinical manifestations. The subjects of the study were 203 men 38 to 47 years old. The main group consisted of 146 people who were in direct contact with lead at work (cable network repair), the control group was 57 people (engineers and technicians). The contents of homocysteine were determined in blood serum using reagents for the enzyme immunoassay "AXIS-SHIELD" (Norway), according to the manufacturer's method. The database in the Microsoft Excel 2007 format was used to collect and process the results of the studies. The criteria for both parametric and nonparametric statistics were used to process the metrics using Statistica for Windows 6.0 software (Statsoft In., USA). The increase in the level of lead in their blood was observed in all patients with clinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases. They were divided into 3 main groups: I - the amount of lead in the blood 2.12±0.013 μmol/l; II - 2.12±0.013 μmol/l; III - 1.72±0.028 μmol/l. The changes in clinical features that were obtained had the highest values for workers in the group with the highest homocysteine level in their blood (18.32±0.9 μmol/l), which exceeded the values of apparently healthy subjects (10.22±0.56 μmol/l) in 1.79 times. The minimum level of homocysteine in the blood was found in workers of group III, who had only isolated symptoms of development of asthenic - vegetative syndrome (an increase in the level of homocysteine was minimal - 12.2±0.41 μmol/l). The existence of a relationship between the content of lead in blood and the level of homocysteine is confirmed by positive correlation between the indices. So, in workers exposed to lead, the serum homocysteine content is exceeded in direct proportion to the increase in lead in the blood, which can be regarded as an independent risk factor (marker) for the development of cardiovascular pathology.
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