Evaluation of Plasma Lead and Oxidative Stress Markers in Petroleum Workers

Medawe, GadAllah; Abdalla, Altahir; Marouf, Rawia; Nader, Sarah; Tarig, Aza; WageaAlla, Dalia I.; Khalifa, Mohammed Ali

doi:10.61882/rabms.11.3.280

Volume 11, Issue 3 (8-2025) Journal of Research in Applied and Basic Medical Sciences 2025, 11(3): 280-284 | Back to browse issues page

‎ 10.61882/rabms.11.3.280

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Medawe G, Abdalla A, Marouf R, Nader S, Tarig A, WageaAlla D I et al . Evaluation of Plasma Lead and Oxidative Stress Markers in Petroleum Workers. Journal of Research in Applied and Basic Medical Sciences 2025; 11 (3) :280-284
URL: http://ijrabms.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-396-en.html

Evaluation of Plasma Lead and Oxidative Stress Markers in Petroleum Workers

GadAllah Medawe ^*

, Aza Tarig

, Mohammed Ali Khalifa

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan , gadobio77@gmail.com

Abstract: (112 Views)

Background Lead toxicity is associated with increased production of free radicals and oxidative stress. This study assesses plasma lead levels and oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and catalase, among petroleum station workers.
Methods A case-control study was conducted in Khartoum State between September 2021 and June 2022. Plasma lead levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while oxidative stress markers (SOD, GSH, MDA, and CAT) were analyzed via spectrophotometric methods.
Results Plasma lead levels were significantly higher in cases than in controls (p = 0.000). Catalase activity was significantly lower in cases (p = 0.01), whereas GSH levels were higher (p = 0.000). Plasma lead levels showed a positive correlation with worker age (r = 0.83, p = 0.03). SOD activity correlated with both age and occupational duration (r = 0.41, p = 0.00; r = 0.30, p = 0.03), while GSH correlated with occupational duration (r = 0.83, p = 0.02).
Conclusion Lead exposure significantly impaired the function of antioxidant enzymes (GSH-Px and CAT) and was related to age and job duration. The findings support the imperative of occupational health intervention aimed at preventing lead-induced oxidative stress in petroleum workers. The results emphasize the importance of implementing targeted public and occupational health policies, including regular biomonitoring, stricter exposure controls, and antioxidant supplementation strategies, to prevent long-term adverse health consequences in exposed individuals.

Keywords: Antioxidant enzymes, Lead poisoning, Occupational health, Oxidative stress, Petroleum workers

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Type of Study: orginal article | Subject: Hematology

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