Effects of Treatment with Zinc Sulphate on the Oxidative Stress State during Chronic Exposure to Lead in Humans

Abstract

Oxidative stress has been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of lead poisoning. Consequently, thepotential protective effects of antioxidant agents had been raised. This study was designed to explorethe potential protective effects of zinc against the oxidative stress due to chronic exposure to leadLead-exposed workers were treated with 100mg zinc sulphate / day for 2 months, and the extent ofoxidative stress was evaluated by measuring of erythrocytes and plasma content of GSH and MDA, inaddition the Cu, Zn and Pb blood level were measured also. The results of this study showed thattreatment with zinc sulphate significantly lowered MDA production and increased glutathione levelsin plasma and erythrocytes. Blood lead levels, which were elevated significantly due to chronicexposure, showed a reproducible reduction after treatment with zinc sulphate, associated withimprovement in copper and zinc levels in the plasma of lead workers. In conclusion, dailysupplementation with zinc as antioxidant to lead exposed workers seems to be beneficial in theprevention of oxidative stress associated with chronic exposure.