Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry logoLink to Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry
. 2003 Jul;18(2):154–160. doi: 10.1007/BF02867382

Role of essential trace minerals on the absorption of heavy metals with special reference to lead

Herman Sunil D'Souza 1, Geraldine Menezes 1, T Venkatesh 1,✉
PMCID: PMC3453887  PMID: 23105407

Abstract

Heavy metals are important toxicants known to exert adverse effects in humans and animals, given sufficient exposure and accumulation in the body. This has a great concern both at personal and public health risk. Heavy metals are also known to interact with the essential trace minerals at the level of absorption and also during the metabolism. The adverse effects of the absorbed and accumulated heavy metals include neurological, reproductive, renal and hematological systems. Children are more sensitive than adults to the effects of lead. Efforts are made to understand the mechanism of the interactions of heavy metals with essential trace minerals at the level of absorption. With available sensitive and specific methodologies like Anodic Stripping Voltammetry for the evaluation of the levels of toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury etc., better understanding of heavy metal absorption is made possible.

Due to the poor nutritional standards, risk of heavy metal exposure is still a major concern in developing countries. Studies carried out by the author have provided evidence towards the understanding of the prevailing mechanisms of metal-metal interaction at the intestinal level. During growth and development the demand for the essential minerals being at higher level, differentiation of various essential metals and heavy metals pose an inherent problem due to certain common properties shared by them. With this approach to the problem of heavy metal toxicity, it is preventable not only with environmental intervention but also by the nutritional management.

Key words: Lead poisoning, lead absorption, toxic metal and essential metal interaction, prevention of lead poisoning, nutritional management of lead poisoning

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (518.7 KB).

References

  • 1.Herman S., D'Souza, Geraldine Menezes, Venkatesh T. Screening for lead poisoning in urban school children of Southern India using capillary and venous blood samples. Ind. J. Clin. Biochem. 2002;17:1–4. doi: 10.1007/BF02867932. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Khandekar R.N., Raghunath R., Mishra U.C. Levels of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper in the blood of an urban population. The Science of the Total Environment. 1987;66:185–191. doi: 10.1016/0048-9697(87)90086-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Abadin H.G., Hibbs B.F., Pohl H.R. Breast-feeding exposure of infants to cadmium, lead and mercury. A public health viewpoint. Toxicol. Ind. Health. 1997;15:1–24. doi: 10.1177/074823379701300403. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Arnetz B.B., Nicolich M.J. Modelling of environmental lead contributors to blood lead in humans. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health. 1990;62:397–402. doi: 10.1007/BF00381371. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children: A statement by the Centers for Disease Control October 1991. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 1991. [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Herman S., D'Souza, Geraldine Menezes, Venkatesh T. Fetal lead exposure: Encephalopathy in a child. Ind. J. Clin. Biochem. 2002;17:9–11. doi: 10.1007/BF02867934. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Herman S., D'Souza, Menezes Geraldine, Venkatesh T. Absorption of lead and health related problems in humans; management of natural resources for better health care; Dibrugarh, Assam, India: Dibrugarth University; 2002. [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Keen R.W., Deacon A.C., Delves H.T., Moreton J.A., Frost P.G. Indian herbal remedies for diabetes as a cause of lead poisoning. Postgrad. Med. J. 1994;70:113–114. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.70.820.113. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Schwartz J., Levin R. The risk of lead toxicity in homes with lead paint hazard. Environ. Res. 1991;54:1–7. doi: 10.1016/S0013-9351(05)80189-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Olaiz G., Fortoul T.I., Rojas R., Doyer M., Palazuelos E., Tapia C.R. Risk factors of high levels of lead in blood of school children in Mexico city. Arch. Environ. Health. 1996;51:122–126. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1996.9936004. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Lead Poisoning Prevention and Treatment: Implementing a national program in developing countries. Proceedings of the International conference on Lead Poisoning Prevention and Treatment February 8–10 1999, Bangalore, India.
  • 12.Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children. Atlanta, Georgia: US Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control; 1989. [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Alliance to end childhood lead poisoning International action plan for preventing lead poisoning. Revised Second Edition. 1997.
  • 14.Needleman H.L., Schell A., Bellinger D., Leviton A., Alldred E.N. The Long-term effects of childhood exposure to low doses of lead: An 11 year follow-up report. New. Engl. J. Med. 1990;322:83–88. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199001113220203. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Bellinger D., Leviton A., Waternaux C., Needleman H.L., Rabinowitz M. Longitudinal analyses or prenatal and postnatal lead exposure and early cognitive development. N. Engl. J. Med. 1987;316:1037–1043. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198704233161701. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.Barry P.S.I. A comparison of concentrations of lead in human tissues. Br. J. Ind. Med. 1975;32:119–139. doi: 10.1136/oem.32.2.119. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Bellinger D.C., Stiles K.M., Needleman H.L. Low-level lead exposure, intelligence and academic achievement: A long term follow-up study. Pediatrics. 1991;90:855–861. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Needleman H.L., Gastonis C.A. Low level lead exposure and the IQ of children a meta-analysis of modern studies. J. Am. Med. Assoc. 1990;263:673–678. doi: 10.1001/jama.263.5.673. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19.Pocock S.J., Ashby D., Smith V. Lead exposure and children's intelligence. Int. J. Epidemiol. 1987;16:57–67. doi: 10.1093/ije/16.1.57. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20.Pocock S.J. Factors influencing household water lead: A British National Survey Arch. Environ. Health. 1980;35:45–51. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 21.Gulson B.L., Ameson C.W., Mahaffey K.R., Mizon K.J., Korsch M.J., Vimpani Pregnancy increases mobilization of lead from maternal skeleton. J. Lab. Clin. Med. 1997;130:51–62. doi: 10.1016/S0022-2143(97)90058-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 22.Hodgkins D.G., Rogins T.G., Hinkamp D.L. The effect of airborne lead particle size on worker blood lead levels: An empirical study of battery workers. Br. J. Ind. Med. 1991;49:241–248. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23.Albahary C. Lead and haemopoiesis: The mechanism and consequences of the erythropathy of occupational lead poisoning. Am. J. Med. 1972;52:367–378. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(72)90025-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 24.Baker E.L., Goyer R.A., Fowler B.A., Khettry U., Bernard D.B., Alder S., White R., Babayan R., Feldman R.G. Occupational lead exposure, nephropathy and renal cancer. Am. J. Ind. Med. 1980;1:139–148. doi: 10.1002/ajim.4700010204. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 25.Flora S.J.S. Lead exposure: Health effects, prevention and treatment. J. Environ. Biol. 2002;23(1):25–41. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 26.Gulson B.L., Ah Yui L, Howarth D. Delayed visual maturation and lead pollution. Sci. Total Environ. 1998;224:215–219. doi: 10.1016/S0048-9697(98)00349-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 27.Bernard B.P., Becker C.E. environmental lead exposure and Kidney. Clin. Toxicol. 1988;26:1–34. doi: 10.3109/15563658808995395. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 28.Raghaven S.R.V., Culver B.D., Gonick H.C. Erythrocyte lead binding protein after occupational exposure. Influence on lead inhibition of membrane Na+, K+-adenosinetriphosphate. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health. 1981;7:561–568. doi: 10.1080/15287398109530001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 29.Cookman G.R., King W., Regan C.M. Chronic low level lead exposure impairs embryonic to adult conversion of the neural cell adhesion molecule. J. Neurochem. 1987;49:399–403. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1987.tb02879.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 30.Ronis M.J., Gandy J., Bedger T.M. Endocrine mechanism underlying reproductive toxicity in the developing rat chronically exposed to dietary lead. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health. 1998;54:77–99. doi: 10.1080/009841098158935. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 31.Silbergeld E.K. Lead in bone: Implication for toxicology during pregnancy and lactation. Environmental Health Perspectives. 1991;91:63–70. doi: 10.2307/3430984. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 32.Al-Saleh I.A.S. The Biochemical and clinical consequences of lead poisoning. Med. Res. Rev. 1994;14:415–486. doi: 10.1002/med.2610140404. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 33.Michael A.J., Baghurst P.A., Wigg N.R., et al. Port Pirie cohort study: environmental exposure to lead and children's abilities at four years. J.A.M.A. 1988;319:468–475. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198808253190803. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 34.Needleman H.L., Geiger S.K., Frank R. Lead and IQ scores: a reanalysis. Science. 1985;227:701–704. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 35.Emhart C.B., Landa B., Wolf A.W. Subclinical lead level and developmental deficit: re-analyses of data. J. Learn. Disab. 1985;18:475–479. doi: 10.1177/002221948501800807. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 36.Mahaffey K.R. Nutrition and lead: Strategies for public health. Environ. Health Perspect. 1995;103(suppl. 6):191–191. doi: 10.2307/3432373. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 37.Silbergeld E.K., Schwartz J., Mahaffey K. Lead and osteoporosis: Mobilization of lead from bone in postmenopausal women. Environ. Res. 1988;47:79–94. doi: 10.1016/S0013-9351(88)80023-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 38.Kostial K., Dekanic D., Telisman S., Blanuska M., Duvanaic S., Prpic-Majic D., Pongracic J. Dietary calcium and blood levels in women. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 1991;28:181–181. doi: 10.1007/BF02990465. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 39.Border E.A., Cantrell A.C., Kilroes-Smith T.A. The invitro effect of zinc on the inhibition of human ä-aminolevlinic acid dehydratase by lead. Br. J. Indust. Med. 1976;33:85–87. doi: 10.1136/oem.33.2.85. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 40.Flora S.J.S., Singh S., Tandon S.K. Role of selenium in protection against lead intoxication. Acta Pharmacol. Toxicol. 1983;53:28–32. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0773.1983.tb01863.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 41.Tandon S.K., Flora S.J.S., Sing S. Chelation in metal intoxication XXIV: Influence of various components of vitamin B complex on therapeutic efficacy of disodium calcium versenate in lead intoxication. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 1987;60:62–65. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0773.1987.tb01721.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 42.Krishnaiyothi G., Banerjee Sudip Kumar, Ali Md Suhrab, Bhattacharya Badal. Ascorbic acid therapy in lead exposed jewellery workers of Bangladesh Showa Univ. J. Med. Sci. 2001;13:11–16. [Google Scholar]
  • 43.Dinesh K. B., Khan Md Moinuddin, Krishnaswamy Kamala. Therapeutic potential of thiamine in lead toxicity-A clinical study. Ind. J. Pharmacol. 1994;26:277–281. [Google Scholar]
  • 44.Tandon S.K., Flora S.J.S., Singh S. Influence of vitamin B-complex deficiency on lead intoxication in young rats. Ind. J. Med. Res. 1984;80:444–448. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 45.Dhawan M., Flora S.J.S., Tandon S.K. Preventive and therapeutic role of vitamin E in chronic plumbism. Biomed. Envir. Sci. 1989;2:335–341. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 46.Chisolm J.J. Treatment of lead poisoning. Mod. Treat. 1971;8:593–611. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 47.Klaassen C.D. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. USA: Eds. Goodman and Gilman Pergamon Press; 1990. Heavy metals and heavy metal antagonist; pp. 1592–1614. [Google Scholar]
  • 48.Flora S.J.S., Tandon S.K. Adjuvancts for therapeutic chelating agents in lead intoxication. Trace Elem. Electro. 1995;12:131–140. [Google Scholar]
  • 49.Cory-Slechta D.A. Mobilization of lead over the course of DMSA chelation therapy and long term efficacy. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 1988;246:84–91. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 50.Anderson O. Principles and recent developments in chelation treatment of metal intoxication. Che. Rev. 1999;99:2683–2710. doi: 10.1021/cr980453a. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry are provided here courtesy of Springer

RESOURCES