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Lead induced oxidative DNA damage in battery-recycling child workers from Bangladesh

Mohammad Arif1, Mm Towhidul Islam1, Hossain Uddin Shekhar1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Toxicology and Industrial Health
|March 10, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Children in Bangladesh with high blood lead levels show increased oxidative stress and DNA damage. This study highlights the severe health risks associated with lead exposure in young workers in lead-based professions.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Biochemistry
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Lead exposure is a significant health concern, particularly for children in developing countries.
  • Working children in lead-oriented professions in Bangladesh face high lead exposure levels.
  • This exposure poses a severe threat to children's growth and development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biochemical effects of lead exposure in children.
  • To determine the relationship between blood lead concentration and oxidative stress markers.
  • To assess DNA damage in lead-exposed children.

Main Methods:

  • Enrolled 60 age-matched male children from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • Grouped children into test (blood lead > 10 µg/dl) and control groups.
  • Measured malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, glutathione, and DNA damage (Comet assay).

Main Results:

  • Lead-exposed children had significantly higher malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.01).
  • Protein carbonyl content was elevated, and glutathione levels were decreased (p < 0.05) in test subjects.
  • Comet assay revealed significantly increased DNA damage in lead-exposed children (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • High plasma lead content induces significant oxidative stress in children.
  • Lead exposure is linked to increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant capacity.
  • The findings suggest a direct correlation between lead exposure and DNA damage in this vulnerable population.

Keywords:
Leadantioxidantchild laboroxidative damage

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