Hemopoietic, Hemostatic and Mutagenic Effects of Lead and Possible Prevention by Zinc and Vitamin C

Abstract

Lead is used extensively in industrial and community settings and hence exposure to it is inevitable. The exposure occurs through respiratory or gastro-intestinal route or through skin due to contaminated air, food and water. Acute toxicity of lead is well known for its haematological, neurological and renal effects but of serious concern is chronic exposure to low-level lead exposure associated with cognitive dysfunction, neurobehavioral disorders, hypertension, cardiovascular abnormalities, chromosomal aberrations, somatic and germ cell mutations and genotoxicity. Chelation is the conventional recommendation in the case of blood lead levels associated with acute toxicity. Chronic toxicity can be prevented and even treated with alternate non-pharmacological methods such as dietary or herbal agents. In this article hemopoietic, hematotoxic, hemostatic and genotoxic effects of lead will be highlighted. In addition, possible preventive role of dietary components such as zinc and vitamin C will be discussed

Keywords

• Lead
• heme synthesis
• drug metabolism
• blood coagulation
• zinc
• vitamin C