Effects of occupational exposure to inorganic lead on neuromuscular functioning

Repko, John D.; Nicholson, John; Morgan, Ben B.

doi:10.1037/e573602012-022

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Therefore, the increased expression of GFAP observed in intermittent Pb exposure can represent a highly sensitive marker of neurotoxin-induced CNS injury [69]. Similar phenomenon has been demonstrated by chronic lead exposure, and our previous results also demonstrated that Pb exposure since the fetal period could lead to behavioral deficits in the offspring [45,46,49,70,71] In this study, we observed that this type of exposure produced a significant long-term episodic memory impairment (NOR test results) together with an increase in hippocampal astrocytes and microglial cells. Accumulating evidence confirms that chronic lead exposure can produce behavioral disturbances, including anxiety, in human and in animal models [72,73].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Intermittent Lead Exposure Induces Behavioral and Cardiovascular Alterations Associated with Neuroinflammation

Shvachiy

Amaro-Leal

Outeiro

et al. 2023

Cells

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The nervous system is the primary target for lead exposure and the developing brain appears to be especially susceptible, namely the hippocampus. The mechanisms of lead neurotoxicity remain unclear, but microgliosis and astrogliosis are potential candidates, leading to an inflammatory cascade and interrupting the pathways involved in hippocampal functions. Moreover, these molecular changes can be impactful as they may contribute to the pathophysiology of behavioral deficits and cardiovascular complications observed in chronic lead exposure. Nevertheless, the health effects and the underlying influence mechanism of intermittent lead exposure in the nervous and cardiovascular systems are still vague. Thus, we used a rat model of intermittent lead exposure to determine the systemic effects of lead and on microglial and astroglial activation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus throughout time. In this study, the intermittent group was exposed to lead from the fetal period until 12 weeks of age, no exposure (tap water) until 20 weeks, and a second exposure from 20 to 28 weeks of age. A control group (without lead exposure) matched in age and sex was used. At 12, 20 and 28 weeks of age, both groups were submitted to a physiological and behavioral evaluation. Behavioral tests were performed for the assessment of anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity (open-field test), and memory (novel object recognition test). In the physiological evaluation, in an acute experiment, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and heart and respiratory rates were recorded, and autonomic reflexes were evaluated. The expression of GFAP, Iba-1, NeuN and Synaptophysin in the hippocampal dentate gyrus was assessed. Intermittent lead exposure induced microgliosis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus of rats and changes in behavioral and cardiovascular function. We identified increases in GFAP and Iba1 markers together with presynaptic dysfunction in the hippocampus, concomitant with behavioral changes. This type of exposure produced significant long-term memory dysfunction. Regarding physiological changes, hypertension, tachypnea, baroreceptor reflex impairment and increased chemoreceptor reflex sensitivity were observed. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the potential of lead intermittent exposure inducing reactive astrogliosis and microgliosis, along with a presynaptic loss that was accompanied by alterations of homeostatic mechanisms. This suggests that chronic neuroinflammation promoted by intermittent lead exposure since fetal period may increase the susceptibility to adverse events in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and/or in the elderly.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Intermittent Lead Exposure Induces Behavioral and Cardiovascular Alterations Associated with Neuroinflammation

Shvachiy

Amaro-Leal

Outeiro

et al. 2023

Cells

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“…Weight loss could be a confounding factor for some of the behavioural changes that we observed, namely the reduction in the total travelled distance in the openfield test that evaluated the locomotor activity of the animals. However, as the weight was not reduced from the normal values of adult rats, we can infer that the locomotor activity was mostly affected by the exposure to lead [73][74][75][76][77][78]. Interestingly, intermittent male animals also presented a reduction in urine production, without a decrease in water intake, which could mean that these animals show some renal disfunction which is one of the main health effects that has been described previously and could be one of the underlying mechanisms of high blood pressure [15,16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Gender-Specific Effects on the Cardiorespiratory System and Neurotoxicity of Intermittent and Permanent Low-Level Lead Exposures

Shvachiy,

Amaro-Leal,

Machado

et al. 2024

Biomedicines

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Lead exposure is a significant health concern, ranking among the top 10 most harmful substances for humans. There are no safe levels of lead exposure, and it affects multiple body systems, especially the cardiovascular and neurological systems, leading to problems such as hypertension, heart disease, cognitive deficits, and developmental delays, particularly in children. Gender differences are a crucial factor, with women’s reproductive systems being especially vulnerable, resulting in fertility issues, pregnancy complications, miscarriages, and premature births. The globalization of lead exposure presents new challenges in managing this issue. Therefore, understanding the gender-specific implications is essential for developing effective treatments and public health strategies to mitigate the impact of lead-related health problems. This study examined the effects of intermittent and permanent lead exposure on both male and female animals, assessing behaviours like anxiety, locomotor activity, and long-term memory, as well as molecular changes related to astrogliosis. Additionally, physiological and autonomic evaluations were performed, focusing on baro- and chemoreceptor reflexes. The study’s findings revealed that permanent lead exposure has more severe health consequences, including hypertension, anxiety, and reactive astrogliosis, affecting both genders. However, males exhibit greater cognitive, behavioural, and respiratory changes, while females are more susceptible to chemoreflex hypersensitivity. In contrast, intermittent lead exposure leads to hypertension and reactive astrogliosis in both genders. Still, females are more vulnerable to cognitive impairment, increased respiratory frequency, and chemoreflex hypersensitivity, while males show more reactive astrocytes in the hippocampus. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of not only investigating different types of lead exposure but also considering gender differences in toxicity when addressing this public health concern.

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Effects of occupational exposure to inorganic lead on neuromuscular functioning

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Intermittent Lead Exposure Induces Behavioral and Cardiovascular Alterations Associated with Neuroinflammation

Intermittent Lead Exposure Induces Behavioral and Cardiovascular Alterations Associated with Neuroinflammation

Gender-Specific Effects on the Cardiorespiratory System and Neurotoxicity of Intermittent and Permanent Low-Level Lead Exposures

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