Assessment of Bone Turnover Biomarkers in Lead-Battery Workers with Long-Term Exposure to Lead

Abstract

Background: The major portion of lead in the body resides in skeletal system. The bone turnover affects the release of lead into the circulation from bones. The bone turnover biomarkers (BTM) in lead-battery workers with long-term exposure to lead have not been explored yet. Objective: To evaluate the BTM (formation and resorption) in lead-battery workers with long-term exposure to lead in lead-battery manufacturing plant. Methods: 176 male lead-exposed workers and 80 matched comparison group were studied. All participants were examined for blood lead levels (BLLs), bone formation biomarkers—serum osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP)—and bone resorption biomarkers—serum pyridinoline (PYD), deoxypyridinoline (DPYD), tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b), and urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP). Results: We found a significantly higher bone formation biomarkers such as BALP (p=0.007) and bone resorption biomarkers, eg, PYD (p=0.048), TRCAP-5b (p=0.001), and UHYP (p=0.001) in lead-exposed workers. A significant (p=0.041) negative correlation (ρ -0.128) was noted between BLLs and OC. A significant positive correlation was noted between BLLs and TRACP-5b (ρ 0.176, p=0.005) and UHYP (ρ 0.258, p=0.004). Serum OC (p=0.040) and UHYP (p=0.015) levels changed significantly with BLL level. Bone resorption biomarkers levels—PYD, TRACP-5b, and BALP—were higher among those with higher BLLs levels. The duration of exposure was significantly associated with BALP (p=0.037), DPYD (p=0.016), TRACP5b (p=0.001), and UHYP (p=0.002) levels. Conclusion: Long-term lead exposure affects the bone turnover.

Blood lead levels, calcium metabolism and bone-turnover among automobile technicians in Sagamu, Nigeria: Implications for elevated risk of susceptibility to bone diseases

“…The lead-binding properties of calbindin-D may have resulted at least, in part, in increased lead absorption leading to increased BLL and by corollary, a concomitant increase in lead deposition in the bone. Biomarkers of bone-turnover reflect the toxic effects of lead on bone cell function and are also employed as bio-indicators for the assessment of early stage of bone disorders such as osteoporosis (Kuo and Chen, 2017;Ravibabu et al, 2020). The finding of no change in BALP and OC as well as significant increase in TRACP-5b and UHYP in the automobile technicians may be suggestive of an imbalance in the dual process of bone formation and bone resorption, with a tilt towards greater resorption.…”

“…Although the health implications of these sub-clinical findings may, at the moment, appear incompletely elucidated, the impact may be on the bone when bone calcium is mobilised. The possible clinical consequences may be decreased bone mineral density, poor quality bones and probable raised risk of susceptibility to fracture and bone diseases if these findings are sustained (Khalil et al, 2008;Ravibabu et al, 2020;Rodr-guez and Mandalunis, 2018).…”

“…The biomarkers of bone-turnover, commonly expressed as biomarkers of bone formation [such as bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and osteocalcin (OC)], as well as biomarkers of bone resorption [such as tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TACRP-5b) and urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP)], may provide improved insights into the quality and metabolic state of bones (Rani et al, 2020). These biomarkers have been reported to provide clinically useful evidence of the normal and pathological processes that reflect bone cell activities and can predict changes in bone-lead dynamics long before changes in bone density are detected (Kuo and Chen, 2017;Ravibabu et al, 2020).…”

E-Waste and Metal Contamination in the Environment: Health Effects

“…Deciduous teeth have been shown to provide retrospective information on timing of early-life metals exposure [23]. In addition, chronic lead exposure affects bone turnover and, consequently, can be identified by studying markers of bone formation and bone turnover [24]. Some biomarkers of exposure may also be predictors of subsequent adverse health effects.…”

Токсическое Влияние Свинца На Работников, Подвергшихся Его Воздействию

“…Основная часть свинца в организме депонируется в костной системе. R. Kalahasthi et al [33] обнаружили значительно более высокие показатели биомаркеров костеобразования, таких как костеспецифической щелочной фосфатазы и биомаркеров резорбции кости: сывороточного пиридинолина, кислой фосфатазы-5b, устойчивой к тартарату и гидроксипролина в моче у работников, подвергшихся воздействию свинца. Уровни сывороточного остеокальцина в сыворотке крови и гидроксипролина в моче у них значительно изменялись в зависимости от уровня свинца в крови.…”