Blood Lead Level and Δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Activity in Pre-Menopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

To describe the relationship of blood lead levels (BLL) and blood, δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase(ALAD) activity and haematocrit value(Hct) to menopause , were examined 17 pre-or perimenopausal (PreM) and 17 postmenopausal women (PosM)from Prishtina City, the capital ofRepublic Kosovo. The mean age of the PreM women was 28.8 years (21-46), with a mean blood lead level of 1.2 μg/dL (SD=0.583 μg/dL ) , the mean blood ALAD activity53.2 U/LE (SD= 2.8 U/LE) and haematocrit value42.1 % (SD= 4.3 %). The mean age of the PosM women was 53.6 years (43-67), with a mean blood lead level1.9 μg/dL (SD=0.94 μg/dL), the mean blood ALAD activity 44.4 U/LE(SD=7.2 U/LE) and haematocrit value 42.1 % ( SD= 4.3 %) and 42.2 % (SD=4.4 %). The BPb level of PosM women was significantly higher (P<0.001) in comparison with the BPb level in PreM women. The blood ALAD activity of PosM was significantly inhibited (P<0.002) in comparison with blood ALAD activity in PreM women. The haematocrit values were relatively unchanged. There was established significantly negative correlation between BPb and blood ALAD activity (r=- 0.605; P<0.01) in the PreM women.These results support the hypothesis that release of bone lead stores increases during menopause and constitutes an internal source of exposure possibly associated with adverse health effects on women in menopause transition.