ROLE OF ß2 MICRO-GLOBULIN IN EARLY ASSESSMENT OF RENAL AFFECTION IN LEAD BATTERY WORKERSMINIA CITY

Abstract

Environmental pollution by lead is a major concern for public health. The aim of this study was to determine renal parameters which are suitable for early assessment of renal affection in lead battery workers. Subjects & Methodology: Sixty subjects (all males) were included in this study, ten volunteer subjects as control (group I) and fifty workers categorized as study subjects who worked on lead battery factories in Minia city-Minia Governorate .The workers included in this study were divided into two group according to their blood lead level (BLL), (group II): included twenty-four workers with blood lead level < 20 µg/dl and (group III): included twenty-six workers with blood lead ≥ 20 µg/dl. Laboratory investigations were done for all subjects of the study including BLL, urinary delta-Aminolevulinic acid (δ –ALA), renal function indices as blood urea, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, and serum s2 microglobulin. Results: Group II parameters were within normal except s2 microglobulin which was higher than its normal value. Workers in group III were found to have significantly higher levels of, blood urea, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, s2 microglobulin and urinary δ –ALA than workers in group II and control group. Although there was significant positive correlation between BLL and all studied parameters, s2 microglobulin had the highest positivity followed by serum uric acid. Conclusion: increase in BLL causes positive renal effects. s2 microglobulin followed by serum uric acid is good early predictor for renal affection in lead exposed workers