Hemorheology in Occupational Lead Exposure

• Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health Environment ＆ Health, 1996-10, Vol.22 (5), p.369-373+ix
• Main Author: Osterode, Wolf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aggregation; Biological and medical sciences; Blood; Blood Viscosity; Case-Control Studies; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Cholesterols; Erythrocyte indices; Erythrocyte membrane; Erythrocytes; Erythrocytes - physiology; Hemorheology - methods; Humans; Lead; Lead - blood; Lead - urine; Male; Medical sciences; Metals and various inorganic compounds; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Risk Factors; Stress, Mechanical; Toxicology; Urine; Viscosity
• ISSN: 0355-3140; 1795-990X
• DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.156

Objectives The purpose of this investigation was to study hemorheological parameters in occupationally lead exposed men. Material and methods For 15 clinically healthy lead-exposed male subjects [age 34.6 (SD 8) years] the viscous (ε') and elastic (ε") components of whole blood viscosity corrected for 45% hematocrit were measured for shear rates between 1 · s⁻¹ - 100 · s⁻¹ at 37°C. Moreover, lead concentrations in blood and urine and the deltaaminolevulinic acid dehydrase level were determined. Fifteen unexposed age-matched men were used as referents. Results The mean lead concentration in the blood and urine of the lead-exposed men was 48.7 (SD 16.2) μg · dl⁻¹ and 38.8 (SD 17.1) μg · g creatinine⁻¹, respectively. While ε" was significantly increased only at low shear rates, ε' was elevated throughout the investigated shear range in comparison with the values of the unexposed referents. These results are characteristic of erythrocytes with enhanced rigidity. The aggregation and filtration index of erythrocytes were significantly elevated for the lead-exposed workers. A positive correlation existed between lead in blood and ε' or ε", whereas δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydrase and ε' or ε" were inversely correlated. No differences in plasma viscosity or in lipid status could be detected. Conclusion Increased blood lead concentrations can be considered an additional risk factor for vascular diseases predisposing towards microvascular occlusion.