Occupational Exposure to Toxic Metals Induced Oxidative Stress in Automechanics in Ibadan, Nigeria - Risk of Developing Chronic Kidney Disease

Authors

  • O.M Akinosun

Keywords:

Chronic kidney disease, oxidative stress index, toxic metals

Abstract

Toxic metal induced oxidative stress has been shown to play prominent role in aetiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which continues to be a major public health concern. This study investigated levels of these metals, renal function and oxidative stress index (OSI) in automobile mechanics (AM). The study comprised thirty-five AM and thirty-five apparently-healthy participants between 20 and 60 years. Blood (10 ml) and spot urine (5 ml) samples were collected. Plasma creatinine (PCr); urinary albumin, creatinine; total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total plasma peroxide (TPP) were measured spectrophotometrically. Estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR), OSI and albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) were calculated. Blood lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) levels; urinary Pb, Hg and cadmium (Cd) were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed statistically using Independent T-test and Pearson’s correlation at p < 0.05. The urinary Pb (0.5 ± 0.2 vs 0.7 ± 0.2ug/dl), Cd (0.3 ± 0.1 vs 0.4 ± 0.1ug/dl), Hg (0.05 ± 0.02ug/dl vs 0.07 ± 0.02)and plasma TAC (27353.1 ± 10733.2 vs 32814.3 ± 11328.6) were significantly lower while blood Hg (0.3 ± 0.2 vs 0.2 ± 0.03ug/dl),TPP (174.1 ± 49.6 vs 113.1 ± 56.2) and OSI (0.7 ± 0.4 vs 0.4 ± 0.2)increased significantly in AM than controls. No significant differences in PCr (75.3 ± 8.9 vs 78.3 ± 9.6), ACR (10.7 ± 13.9 vs 12.0 ± 8.4), eGFR (108.2 ± 25.7 vs 118.4 ± 26.3) and blood Pb (9.3 ± 4.8 vs 8.4 ± 1.1ug/dl). Urinary Pb, Hg and Cd correlated significantly with ACR (p<0.01). The urinary levels of Pb, Cd and Hg (p < 0.001); plasma levels of TAC (p = 0.042) were significantly lower while the mean levels of blood Hg, plasma TPP and OSI (p < 0.001) were significantly increased in AM compared with control. However, there were no significant difference in levels of eGFR, ACR and blood Pb between the two groups. Urinary levels of Pb, Hg and Cd correlates significantly with ACR, while there was a negative correlation with blood Hg levels in AM compared with control. In this study, automobile mechanics were found to be at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease due to their constant occupational exposure to toxic metals.

Published

2017-02-28

Issue

Section

Research Articles