Erythrocyte folate levels in occupational zinc-exposed workers

Abstract

Physiologically, zinc is an essential element that has many important functions such as maintenance of immunity, cell integrity, signalling, cellular respiration, and neuromodulation. Besides zinc, folate also plays a crucial role in basic cellular reactions. Exposure to some xenobiotics may lead to folate deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc fume on erythrocyte folate levels. For this purpose, erythrocyte folate levels and serum zinc concentrations were evaluated in 63 galvanization workers, who were exposed to zinc fume during the galvanization procedure, and 23 office personnel as a control group. Erythrocyte folate levels were found to be decreased, while blood zinc levels were increased in workers compared to the controls (both, p<0.05). Additionally, a significant but rather weak negative correlation was observed between blood folate and zinc concentrations in all participants (Rs=–0.335; p<0.05). It was estimated that zinc exposure leads to a decrease in erythrocyte folate levels. Moreover, it may be speculated that galvanization procedure can cause an elevation in the serum zinc concentration of workers and chronic occupational zinc exposure may trigger changes in erythrocyte folate status, which reflects tissue folate stores.

Keywords

• folate
• galvanization
• occupational exposure
• zinc