AMELIORATION OF LEAD TOXICITY IN AN OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED POPULATION WITH ASCORBIC ACID

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the ameliorative effects of vitamin C in lead toxicity. Occupationally exposed workforce - artisans from mechanic village, motor park, polyurethane factory as well as students from GTC and university staff (serving as control) in Abeokuta Nigeria participated in the study. The subjects were given 400mg vitamin C supplement daily for a period of 2 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the subjects before and after the 2 weeks of vitamin C treatment.  Blood lead and biochemical attendants of lead toxicity were determined. 2-week administration of ascorbic acid resulted in significant reduction in blood lead of the occupationally exposed subjects (p<0.001). A 51% reduction was evident among the polyurethane factory workers, 33% in the mechanic village subjects, 13% in the motor park and 28% in the control group. Observation showed a positive response of the biochemical attendants of lead toxicity to the ascorbic acid supplementation. Concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) which was lowered as a result of lead toxicity increased on administering ascorbic acid. The ascorbic acid regime also significantly (p<0.001) reduced the elevated level of plasma aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in occupationally exposed subjects. These results indicate the effectiveness of ascorbic acid in treating lead induced toxic manifestations particularly where subjects cannot be removed from the source of lead exposure.   Key Words:  Lead, Blood, Biomarkers, Artisans, Ascorbic acid, Nigeria.