Biomaterial Database

Heavy metal levels and delta-amino-levulinic acid dehydrase levels in peripheral polyneuropathy. 1976

B Melgaard, and J Clausen, and S C Rastogi

On the basis of assay of heavy metals in whole blood (lead, cadimum, chromium, copper, nickel and manganese) and delta-amino-levulinic-acid dehydrase (ALA-D) and ALA in urine in a normal Danish population, the levels of these clinco-chemical factors were assayed in 23 patients with peripheral neuropathy of unknown etiology. All patients studied showed electro-physiological sign of denervation and/or reduced motor or sensoric nerve conduction velocity. Cadmium and manganese were never found to be increased. In all but four patients, an increase of one or more heavy metals was found. Ten patients showed raised levels of two or more metals, the dominant metal being lead (10 cases), nine patients showed increased in chromium. A significant corrleation was found between increasing lead levels and decreasing ALA-D activity. Although normal concentrations of manganese were found, correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between increased manganese and decreased ALA-D. The raised values of heavy metals could not be traced to occupational or other exposure to heavy metals and the increased values were not related to tobacco consumption. The findings are discussed in relation to known data on neuropathy and the results seem to indicate a multifactorial patholgenesis of the disease. Among factors contributing to the precipitation of the syndrome may be raised levels of heavy metals.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007854	Lead	A soft, grayish metal with poisonous salts; atomic number 82, atomic weight 207.2, symbol Pb.
D008297	Male		Males
D008345	Manganese	A trace element with atomic symbol Mn, atomic number 25, and atomic weight 54.94. It is concentrated in cell mitochondria, mostly in the pituitary gland, liver, pancreas, kidney, and bone, influences the synthesis of mucopolysaccharides, stimulates hepatic synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids, and is a cofactor in many enzymes, including arginase and alkaline phosphatase in the liver. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual 1992, p2035)
D008670	Metals	Electropositive chemical elements characterized by ductility, malleability, luster, and conductance of heat and electricity. They can replace the hydrogen of an acid and form bases with hydroxyl radicals. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Metal
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009532	Nickel	A trace element with the atomic symbol Ni, atomic number 28, and atomic weight 58.69. It is a cofactor of the enzyme UREASE.
D010523	Peripheral Nervous System Diseases	Diseases of the peripheral nerves external to the brain and spinal cord, which includes diseases of the nerve roots, ganglia, plexi, autonomic nerves, sensory nerves, and motor nerves.	Peripheral Nerve Diseases,Peripheral Neuropathies,PNS (Peripheral Nervous System) Diseases,PNS Diseases,Peripheral Nervous System Disease,Peripheral Nervous System Disorders,Nerve Disease, Peripheral,Nerve Diseases, Peripheral,Neuropathy, Peripheral,PNS Disease,Peripheral Nerve Disease,Peripheral Neuropathy
D002104	Cadmium	An element with atomic symbol Cd, atomic number 48, and atomic weight 112.41. It is a metal and ingestion will lead to CADMIUM POISONING.
D002857	Chromium	A trace element that plays a role in glucose metabolism. It has the atomic symbol Cr, atomic number 24, and atomic weight 52. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP85-002,1985), chromium and some of its compounds have been listed as known carcinogens.
D003300	Copper	A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55.	Copper-63,Copper 63