Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2002 Sep;14(3):270-279.

A Study on Liver Function Indices in Male Lead Workers

• Hwangbo Y
• Kim YB
• Lee GS
• Lee SS
• Ahn KD
• Lee BK

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effects of lead on the liver function indices in male lead workers.
METHODS
The study comprised of 274 lead workers and 113 non-lead workers who were confirmed not to have HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface Antigen). Blood lead (PbB), blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALAU) were selected as parameters for monitoring exposure to lead while aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (SGPT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GTP) were chosen as parameters for monitoring liver function. Demographic information, such as age, smoking and drinking histories were collected. The duration of work for the lead workers, and their BMI(body mass index), were also obtained.
RESULTS
After adjusting for possible confounders {age, BMI, work duration, smoking (pack-year) and drinking (bottles of Soju consumed per week)}, blood lead was observed to be a significant variable from the logistic regression analysis of the abnormalities of SGOT( >35 IU/L), with an odds ratio of 1.04 (95 % CI, 1.008-1.066). The amount of alcohol drunk (odds ratio 1.28: 95 % CI, 1.054-1.549) and BMI (odds ratio 1.24: 95 % CI, 1.075-1.421) were also significant variables. From the multiple linear regression analyses, blood lead was significantly, and positively, associated with SGOT (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that exposure to lead may have an effect on SGOT in male lead workers.

Keyword

Lead; Liver Function indices

MeSH Terms

Alanine Transaminase
Aminolevulinic Acid
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Drinking
gamma-Glutamyltransferase
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Humans
Linear Models
Liver*
Logistic Models
Male*
Odds Ratio
Smoke
Smoking
Zinc
Alanine Transaminase
Aminolevulinic Acid
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Smoke
Zinc
gamma-Glutamyltransferase