The state of prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis in children with different levels of lead in the blood

Abstract

Lead is an environmental toxicant that can induce oxidative stress (OS) via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which has been reported as an important mechanism underlying lead toxicity [1]. To install biochemical mechanisms of these disorders, the state of prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis in children with different levels of lead in the blood was studied. 100 children of a random sample aged from 4 to 15 years were examined (average age 11.5 years). Determination of lead was carried out in heparinized venous blood by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization. The activity of lipid peroxidation processes (LPO) was estimated by accumulation of primary (diene conjugates - DK) and final (malonic dialdehyde - MDA) products of lipoperoxidation in the blood. The state of the antioxidant system was evaluated by glutathione peroxidase (GPO) activity and by the content of sulfhydryl and thioldisulfide groups of blood.