Serum lipids and lipid peroxidation pattern in industrial and rural workers in India

Abstract

In order to study the impact of industrial pollutants or toxicants in free radical generation and age-associated cardiovascular diseases, serum cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, lipid peroxide levels, uric acid and blood pressure were studied in 67 male urban industrial and 85 male rural workers. In industrial workers, the higher levels of cholesterol, lipid peroxides and uric acid are observed due to pollutants like smoke, tar or high furnace temperature. The incidence of hypertension is greater in industrial workers as compared to rural workers. Rural workers have higher levels of HDL-cholesterol. The elevated serum uric acid levels are thought to be a physiological compensatory mechanism against oxidative stress. The aim of the present study is to determine the difference between rural and industrial workers in relation to lipids and lipid peroxide levels. These results may demonstrate the important role of lipid peroxides in age-associated cardiovascular diseases.