Auto technicians (auto mechanics, panel beaters, battery chargers, and auto painters) are among the most valuable work force in the society. Reports on oxidative stress in persons occupationally exposed to mixed chemicals abound; however, few have narrowed down specifically on auto technicians, while even fewer have stratified the exposure in the different subgroups of auto technicians. This study evaluated the antioxidant status in auto technicians routinely exposed to lead and cadmium and stratified the results of exposure by different subgroups of auto technicians in Ibadan, Nigeria. Sixty-five apparently healthy males (aged 18 to 65years) were selected based on specific inclusion criteria using a structured questionnaire. Thirty-four were cases consisting of participants routinely working as auto technicians or apprentices(≥2years) while controls were thirty-one nonoccupationally exposed male members of staff/students of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Blood was collected from all participants and analyzed for the presence of lead, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total plasma peroxides (TPP); oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Urine samples collected from all participants were analyzed for the presence of urinary lead and cadmium using standard laboratory methods. Although values of TAC in cases (22538±8726.54) were not statistically different from what was obtained in controls (26741.87±8696.68), TPP and OSI were statistically higher in cases than in controls (183.88±53.39 and 120.16±70.54, respectively, and 0.93±0.45 and 0.49±0.33, respectively). The blood lead level in cases (10.11±4.47) was significantly higher than in controls (7.72±1.22) while elevated urinary lead and cadmium levels were observed in cases (0.65±0.21 and 0.34±0.11, respectively) compared to controls (0.52±0.19 and 0.27±0.10, respectively). Raised TPP and OSI levels—hallmark of active lipid peroxidation—found to be highest among panel beaters compared to others may be prognostic of membrane-damaging diseases in this subgroup of auto technicians.

Background The pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains a medical challenge even in the developed world. Although genetics and epigenetic factors have been variously indicted as major causes of the disorder, development of oxidative stress especially in the formative years of children has equally gained prominence as an etiological basis of the disorder. Oxidative stress is characterized by the production of excessive amounts of free radicals, decreased levels of antioxidants with the attendant imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant ratio. This study was designed to determine the levels of essential metals [magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu)] and toxic metal, lead (Pb), and generation of oxidative stress by their abnormal interaction. Method Twenty-five children clinically diagnosed for ASD according to DSM-IV-TR and 25 neuro-typical (NT) children (controls), (aged 5.96 ± 1.40 years and 6.18 ± 2.59 years respectively) were recruited for this study. Essential and toxic metals were analyzed using induction-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), total plasma peroxidase (TPP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] were determined using appropriate biochemical methods. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Results The levels of TPP and TAC were significantly reduced while MDA was higher in ASD compared to NT. Although OSI was higher in ASD, the difference was not significant. Pb (lead) concentration was significantly increased while Mg, Zn, and Cu levels were reduced significantly in ASD compared to NT. A significant negative correlation between Mg and OSI (r = − 0.438; p = 0.029) was observed in NT. Conclusion Reduction in Zn and Mg levels with a concurrent increase in Pb in children with ASD in this study may be the basis of inadequate TAC manifesting as increased MDA and reduced TPP levels. The attendant imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant ratio may result in abnormality in neuronal transduction leading to the abnormal cognitive and speech functions characteristic of ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and Cerebral Palsy (CP) are amongst the leading neurodevelopmental disorders in children worldwide causing diminished quality of life. Unlike CP caused by brain damage affecting muscle tone, movement and motor skills, equivocal report of different genes with varying loci as genetic malformation and genetic modulation by environmental factors have been the focus of attention in the aetiology of ASD. This study investigated levels of toxic metal (Pb) and macro elements (Ca and Mg) in blood of children with ASD and CP in Nigeria. 8 and 18 Children (aged 2-12 years) clinically screened for features of ASD and CP respectively by pediatric neurologist using DMS-IV classification along with 15 age-matched neurologically healthy ones as controls were recruited. Plasma levels of Ca, Mg and Pb were determined in the children using Induction Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Results were analyzed using students t-test. The gender difference was not significant in the children (P = 0.216) while developmental milestones' abnormalities (stable neck, sitting, crawling and walking) was significantly prevalent among CP children relative to ASD and normal children (P= 0.003, 0.003, 0.003 and 0.000 respectively); however, abnormality in talking was common in ASD and CP relative to normal children (P = 0.000). There was significant difference in educational background of ASD and CP parents relative to those of normal children (P = 0.025). Mean plasma calcium and magnesium levels was significantly reduced in children with ASD (7.90 ± 0.17 mg/dl, 2.44 ± 0.07 mg/dl) and CP (7.26 ± 0.31 mg/dl, 2.42 ± 0.08 mg/dl) in comparison to the controls (8.97 ± 0.20 mg/dl and 3.26 ± 0.16 mg/dl);

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