Immune function biomarkers in children exposed to lead and organochlorine compounds: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundDifferent organochlorines and lead (Pb) have been shown to have immunomodulating properties. Children are at greater risk for exposure to these environmental toxicants, but very little data exist on simultaneous exposures to these substances.MethodsWe investigated whether the organochlorine compounds (OC) dichlorodiphenylethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), the sum of polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs) and Pb were associated with immune markers such as immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, white blood cell (WBC), counts of lymphocytes; eosinophils and their eosinophilic granula as well as IgE count on basophils. The investigation was part of a cross-sectional environmental study in Hesse, Germany. In 1995, exposure to OC and Pb were determined, questionnaire data collected and immune markers quantified in 331 children. For the analyses, exposure (OC and Pb) concentrations were grouped in quartiles (γ-HCH into tertiles). Using linear regression, controlling for age, gender, passive smoking, serum lipids, and infections in the previous 12 months, we assessed the association between exposures and immune markers. Adjusted geometric means are provided for the different exposure levels.ResultsGeometric means were: DDE 0.32 μg/L, ΣPCBs 0.50 μg/L, HCB 0.22 μg/L, γ-HCH 0.02 μg/L and Pb 26.8 μg/L. The ΣPCBs was significantly associated with increased IgM levels, whereas HCB was inversely related to IgM. There was a higher number of NK cells (CD56+) with increased γ-HCH concentrations. At higher lead concentrations we saw increased IgE levels. DDE showed the most associations with significant increases in WBC count, in IgE count on basophils, IgE, IgG, and IgA levels. DDE was also found to significantly decrease eosinophilic granula content.ConclusionLow-level exposures to OC and lead (Pb) in children may have immunomodulating effects. The increased IgE levels, IgE count on basophils, and the reduction of eosinophilic granula at higher DDE concentrations showed a most consistent pattern, which could be of clinical importance in the etiology of allergic diseases.

Characterizing Golden Eagle Risk to Lead and Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure: A Review

“…Analysis of stratified data showed that the highest IgE levels were observed in the children with PbB in the range between 2.8-3.4 and >3.4 μg/dL. No significant associations were seen between PbB and serum levels of IgA, IgG, or IgM (Karmaus et al 2005).…”

“…Reported effects have included changes in some T-cell subpopulations (Fischbein et al 1993;Pinkerton et al 1998;Sata et al 1998;Ündeger et al 1996), altered response to T-cell mitogens (Mishra et al 2003), and reduced chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (Valentino et al 1991). Three studies of children reported significant associations between PbB and increases in serum IgE levels (Karmaus et al 2005;Lutz et al 1999;Sun et al 2003). IgE is the primary mediator for type-I hypersensitivity and is involved in various allergic diseases such as asthma; therefore, the suggestion has been raised that in utero exposure to lead may be a risk factor for childhood asthma (Dietert et al 2002).…”

“…A study of Chinese children (3-6 years old) also examined the association between PbB and serum IgG, IgM, and IgE levels (Sun et al 2003 evidence for an association between IgE and lead burden is provided by a study of 331 German children (7-8 years of age) with a geometric mean PbB of 2.7 μg/dL, which found a significant association (p<0.05) between PbB and increased serum IgE levels (Karmaus et al 2005). Analysis of stratified data showed that the highest IgE levels were observed in the children with PbB in the range between 2.8-3.4 and >3.4 μg/dL.…”

“…The effects of chronic-duration exposure to lead in humans and in animals have been relatively well-studied. In humans, exposure to lead has been associated with (only representative citations are included) cardiovascular effects Schwartz 1995;Staessen et al 1994), hematological effects (Chisolm et al 1985;Roels and Lauwerys 1987;Roels et al 1976), musculoskeletal effects (Holness and Nethercott 1988;Marino et al 1989;Pagliuca et al 1990), effects on teeth in children (Gemmel et al 2002;Moss et al 1999), renal effects (Kim et al 1996a;Muntner et al 2003), alterations in serum hormone levels (Gustafson et al 1989;López et al 2000;Singh et al 2000a), cataracts (Schaumberg et al 2004), alterations in electroretinograms (Cavalleri et al 1982;Otto and Fox 1993;Rothenberg et al 2002a), altered vitamin D metabolism (Rosen et al 1980), alterations in immunological parameters (Fischbein et al 1993;Karmaus et al 2005;Lutz et al 1999;Pinkerton et al 1998;Sata et al 1998;Sun et al 2003;Ündeger et al 1996), neurobehavioral effects in adults (Awad El Karim et al 1986;Baker et al 1979Baker et al , 1983Haenninen et al 1979;Holness and Nethercott 1988;Lucchini et al 2000;Matte et al 1989;Pagliuca et al 1990;Pollock and Ibels 1986;…”

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Biphenyls

“…In a subgroup of 331 children aged 7-10 years from the Hesse, Germany cohort, mean concentrations of PCBs were 0.50 μg/L, and this value was significantly associated with increased levels of serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) (Karmaus et al, 2005).…”