Effect of Lead Exposure on the Status of Reticulocyte Count Indices among Workers from Lead Battery Manufacturing Plant

Abstract

Earlier studies conducted on lead-exposed workers have determined the reticulocyte count (RC) (%), but the parameters of Absolute Reticulocyte Count (ARC), Reticulocyte Index (RI), and Reticulocyte Production Index (RPI) were not reported. This study assessed the effect of lead (Pb) exposure on the status of reticulocyte count indices in workers occupied in lead battery plants. The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 391 male lead battery workers. The blood lead levels (BLL) were determined by using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The RC (%) was estimated by using the supravital staining method. The parameters, such as ARC, RI, and RPI, were calculated by using the RC (%) with the red cell indices (RBC count and hematocrit). The levels of RBC count and hematocrit were determined by using an ABX Micros ES-60 hematology analyzer. The levels of reticulocyte count indices - RC (%), ARC, RI, and RPI significantly increased with elevated BLL. The association between BLL and reticulocyte count indices was positive and significant. The results of linear multiple regression analysis showed that the reticulocyte count (β = 0.212, P < 0.001), ARC (β = 0.217, P < 0.001), RI (β = 0.194, P < 0.001), and RPI (β = 0.208, P < 0.001) were positively associated with BLL. The variable, smoking habits, showed a significant positive association with reticulocyte count indices: RC (%) (β = 0.188, P < 0.001), ARC (β = 0.174, P < 0.001), RI (β = 0.200, P < 0.001), and RPI (β = 0.151, P < 0.005). The study results revealed that lead exposure may cause reticulocytosis with an increase of reticulocyte count indices.

Hubungan Antara Positif Kadar Timbal Darah Dengan Hasil Hitung Retikulosit Pekerja Cat Oplosan

“…Pada pajanan yang lama dengan kadar timbal yang tinggi, masa hidup eritrosit memendek dan dihubungkan dengan inhibisi pada pyrimidine 5nucleotidase yang selanjutnya menyebabkan anemia hemolitik yang ditandai dengan hasil hitung retikulosit (Kalahasthi and Barman, 2016). Hubungan kadar timbal darah dengan hasil hitung retikulosit diperoleh hasil p-value = 0,000, nilai p < 0,05 dengan tingkat kepercayaan 95% hal tersebut menunjukkan adanya korelasi yang signifikan antara kadar timbal darah dengan hasil hitung retikulosit serta menunjukkan hubungan yang kuat (r = 0,663) dan berpola positif artinya semakin tinggi kadar timbal darah maka semakin tinggi persentase hasil hitung retikulosit.…”

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

“… 1 Occupational exposure to lead occurs through inhalation and ingestion. Recent studies on lead-battery manufacturing workers have reported high musculoskeletal disorders with markers of inflammation, 2 mucocutaneous changes, 3 oxidative stress, 4 altered serum magnesium fractions, 5 elevated blood lead levels (BLLs), 6 , 7 reticulocytosis, 8 altered genetic polymorphisms of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), 9 impaired biogenic amino acids with neurobehavioral function, 10 genotoxicity, 11 impaired coagulation function, 12 health problems, 13 , 14 male reproductive function, 15 ocular changes, 16 impaired hematological parameters, 17 and altered calcium metabolism by inhibiting the kidney 1-𝛼-hydroxylase enzyme, which is required for 1, 25 dihydroxy-vitamin D 3 synthesis 18 .…”

Association of musculoskeletal disorders and inflammation markers in workers exposed to lead (Pb) from Pb-battery manufacturing plant

“…[1] In the body, Pb accumulates in erythrocytes, soft tissues (brain, kidney, and bone marrow), and mineralized tissue (bone, teeth). Literature states that workers exposed to Pb form Pb-battery manufacturing plant have reported the disturbances in epigenetic status,[2] oxidative DNA damage,[3] altered reticulocyte count,[4] oxidative stress,[5] biogenic amino acids with neurobehavioral changes,[6] gene polymorphisms of ALAD, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), paraoxonase and metallothionein-4 activities [789], and calcium metabolism with bone mineral density. [10] Pb also affects several body systems, which include blood pressure,[11] ocular changes,[12] coagulation,[13] osteoporosis risk [14] poor dental health,[15] hearing loss [16] cardiovascular,[17] neuropathy,[18] renal,[19] hepatic [20], and reproductive [21] abnormalities.…”