The Correlation between Blood Lead Level and T-Lymphocyte Subpopulation with Analysis of Biochemical Materials

Abstract

Although we have gained much information about lead-induced organ damage, the effect of blood lead level on T cell subgroup is yet to be determined. To assess the effect of blood lead level on T-lymphocyte Subpopulation Expression of children, and the association of T-lymphocyte Subpopulation Expression with threshold limit value of blood lead level.The aim of study is evaluating the significance of blood level, as an indicator for environmental lead, and T-lymphocyte Subpopulation Expression as an effect indicator, to determinate the correlation between the content of blood lead and T-lymphocyte Subpopulation Expression. The 120 children from area to exposure environmental lead were recruited into the study using immunofluorescence methods and study of blood lead level using graphite stove atom absorption spectrophotometer respectively, with blood lead level of 0.48μmol/L as a cut off value. The enrolled children according to their blood lead levels were assigned into three groups,26 in Group I with blood lead level ≥0.48 μmol/L , 40 in Group 2 with lead level ≥0.24 μmol/L but <0.48 μmol/L and 54 in Group 3 with lead level <0.24 μmol/L .Student t test was used in data analysis, and correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between blood lead level and expression of T-lymphocyte Subpopulation.Data from all 120 children were used for data analysis. There was no significant difference when blood lead level of 0.24μmol/L as a cut off value. Our analysis of CD3, CD4 cells expression and CD4/CD8 cell ratio decreased in high lead groups of 0.48μmol/L as a cut off value(lead level ≥0.48 μmol/L) than Group (lead level ≥0.24 μmol/L) (t=3.27,P<0.01). When the blood lead level was ≥0.48 μmol/L, The result revealed the level of T-lymphocyte Subpopulation expression was a significant difference between groups of high and low blood lead level.. There was difference correlation in the level of blood lead and T-lymphocyte Subpopulation expression. The result suggested that the high blood lead level may be regarded as an adverse effect on children’s immune function especially on CD3 percentage, CD4/CD8 cell ratio when exposed environmental lead.