Biomaterial Database

Influence of heavy metal mixtures on erythrocyte metabolism. 1990

J Antonowicz, and R Andrzejak, and R Smolik

Chair and Clinic of Internal and Occupational Diseases, Medical Academy, Wrozław, Poland.

Exposure of foundry workers to mixtures of different heavy metals is a very important toxicological problem. In this paper the estimation of the effects of lead, zinc, and copper on erythrocyte metabolism is presented. Concentrations of copper and zinc at work posts of the group examined did not exceed TLV, while lead concentration was 1.5 to 4 times higher than TLV. Erythrocyte metabolism was measured through activities of such glycolytic pathway enzymes as PFK, PGI, PK, aldolase and G6-PD from the hexose monophosphate pathway. Additionally the free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) level, D-ALA activity, serum GSH level, 2,3 DPG level in erythrocytes and lactic acid production during a 2-h incubation of red blood cells (RBC) was estimated. The blood-lead level, FEP level, copper concentration in erythrocytes in exposed group were significantly higher than in control group while the zinc level in erythrocytes was significantly lower. Measuring erythrocyte metabolism we showed that the activity of PGI, PFK, aldolase, lactic production and 2,3 DPG levels was significantly higher in the exposed group, probably as a result of anaerobic glycolysis activation.

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
D008669	Metallurgy	The science, art, or technology dealing with processes involved in the separation of metals from their ores, the technique of making or compounding the alloys, the techniques of working or heat-treating metals, and the mining of metals. It includes industrial metallurgy as well as metallurgical techniques employed in the preparation and working of metals used in dentistry, with special reference to orthodontic and prosthodontic appliances. (From Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p494)	Heavy Industries,Industries, Heavy,Heavy Industry,Industry, Heavy
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D003300	Copper	A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55.	Copper-63,Copper 63
D004781	Environmental Exposure	The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents in the environment or to environmental factors that may include ionizing radiation, pathogenic organisms, or toxic chemicals.	Exposure, Environmental,Environmental Exposures,Exposures, Environmental
D004912	Erythrocytes	Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.	Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle
D006019	Glycolysis	A metabolic process that converts GLUCOSE into two molecules of PYRUVIC ACID through a series of enzymatic reactions. Energy generated by this process is conserved in two molecules of ATP. Glycolysis is the universal catabolic pathway for glucose, free glucose, or glucose derived from complex CARBOHYDRATES, such as GLYCOGEN and STARCH.	Embden-Meyerhof Pathway,Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas Pathway,Embden Meyerhof Parnas Pathway,Embden Meyerhof Pathway,Embden-Meyerhof Pathways,Pathway, Embden-Meyerhof,Pathway, Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas,Pathways, Embden-Meyerhof
D006418	Heme	The color-furnishing portion of hemoglobin. It is found free in tissues and as the prosthetic group in many hemeproteins.	Ferroprotoporphyrin,Protoheme,Haem,Heme b,Protoheme IX
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man