Interactions among lead, cadmium, and arsenic in relation to porphyrin excretion patterns

This paper reviews the effects of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) on the mitrochondrion with emphasis on alteration of mitochondrial heme biosynthetic pathway. The information was used to examine results of a Pb x Cd x As interaction study which employed urinary porphyrin excretion patterns as one assessment criterion. Data from the study showed that dietary Pb produced increased urinary excretion of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and coproporphyrin. Dietary exposure to organic or inorganic As caused increased excretion of uroporphyrin and to a lesser extent coproporphyrin, while dietary Cd caused no significant changes in urinary levels of any of the porphyrins measured. The combination of Pb plus As produced an additive effect on coproporphyrin excretion but not that of either ALA or uroporphyrin. These data are discussed in relation to utilization of urinary porphyrins for assessing toxicity and elemental interactions.