LEAD TOXICITY AND TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT DEPLETION IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE LEUKEMIA IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA
Ajadi MB, Oparinde DP*, Ayelagbe OG, Akinloye O and Atiba AS
ABSTRACT
Background: Acute leukemia is one of the major Haemetological malignances that has increased malignancy
related morbidity and mortality worldwide. The role of toxic metals as well as oxidant-antioxidant capacity in this
condition has not been fully evaluated in Nigeria. Methodology: Twenty-five subjects (between 2 and 16 years)
newly diagnosed with acute leukemia and 25 age and sex matched apparently healthy children were recruited as
test subjects and controls respectively for the study. Serum trace elements (Cd, Pb, Hg, and As) of both subjects
and controls were determined with atomic absorption spetrophotometer. The total antioxidant potential (TAP) was
determined using Ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured to
evaluate the extent of oxidant damage to membrane lipids using method of Botsuglou et al. Results: There was a
significant increase in mean serum level of Lead (Pb) in patients with leukemia compared with controls;
15.74±2.60 vs 13.80±2.30 (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in mean serum levels of Cd, Hg, and As
(p>0.05) between the study groups. However, there was a significant reduction in the total antioxidant potential
(TAP) in patients with leukemia when compared with healthy controls (452.24±88.00 vs 633.70±101.06; P <
0.05). Malondialdehyde did not change significantly in subjects and controls (P>0.05). A significant fairly strong
negative correlation was observed between TAP and Pb (r=0.407, p =0.044). Conclusion: Elevated serum Pb level
and its strong negative correlation with TAP suggest a role of Lead toxicity in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia
in Nigeria.
Keywords: Toxic metals, Total Antioxidant potential, Acute Leukemia.
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