Lead induced anemia is a common health issue for occupational lead exposed workers particularly in developing countries. This study was performed on automobile paint workers from different workshops in Karachi, Pakistan to get an estimate of degree of lead poisoning and its effects on them. The blood lead level (BLL), Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and other hematological parameters were determined and genotyping of delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) gene was performed through PCR-RFLP. Automobile paint workers showed significantly increased BLL as compared to the control group (p< 0.0001). Mean cell volume was found to be significantly decreased in automobile paint workers as compared to control group (p< 0.001). Odd ratio shows greater chances of anemia with duration of exposure to the lead environment. Positive correlation of Hb concentration is observed with BLL in anemic automobile paint workers. The correlation is found to be increased for ALAD 1-2 genotype in anemic automobile paint workers. Simple linear regression models showed positive association of Hb concentration with BLL in non-anemic automobile paint workers with ALAD 1-2 genotype while the association was negative with ALAD 1-1genotype. Positive correlation between Hb concentration and BLL of anemic automobile paint workers shows the possibility of lead induced anemia even at low BLL due to the continuous and prolonged duration of exposure to lead. The positive association of ALAD 1-2 shows that the workers having this genotype have increased risk of anemia.
Sadia Sadaf, Maqsood Ali Ansari. (2016) ROLE OF ALAD ISOFORMS IN ANEMIA AND CORRELATION OF BLOOD LEAD LEVEL WITH HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION IN AUTOMOBILE PAINT WORKERS OF KARACHI, PAKISTAN, , Volume 13, Issue 2.
