Modulation of Blood Lead Level and Liver Function Tests in Iranian Opium Users

Opium users are at risk of lead poisoning. Therefore, this study aimed to compare opium users with healthy controls in terms of blood lead levels (BLLs), blood biochemistry, and liver function tests.

A total of 100 people participated in the study. Biological samples (blood and urine) obtained from participants were prepared before analysis for the detection of opium alkaloids (morphine, codeine, papaverine, noscapine,…), amphetamine-type stimulants, and other licit and illicit drugs. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to calculate BLLs. We evaluated biochemical parameters and function tests. All statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS. In addition, biochemical parameters and liver function tests were evaluated.

The BLLs of opium addicts living in Tehran and healthy controls were 18.8 and 7.1 g/dL, respectively. A strong correlation was observed between the route of opium consumption and the average amount of BLL ± SEM (P = 0.037). As compared with the control group, opium users showed a statistically significant (p 0.001) association between the serum levels of the enzyme's aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin and an increase in white blood cell and hematocrit levels.

Results of the present study showed that opium users had elevated BLLs in comparison to the control group, which profoundly affected biochemical parameters and liver enzymes.