There are no common recommendations regarding electrocardiographic monitoring in occupationally exposed workers. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate whether exposure to lead results in an increase of selected electrocardiography (ECG) pathologies, such as QT interval prolongation and repolarization disorders, in occupationally exposed workers. The study group included 180 workers occupationally exposed to lead compounds. The exposed group was divided according to the median of the mean blood lead level (PbBmean) calculated based on a series of measurements performed during 5-year observation period (35 µg/dl) into two subgroups: low exposure (LE, PbBmean = 20.0–35.0 µg/dl) and high exposure (HE, PbBmean = 35.1–46.4 µg/dl). The control group consisted of 69 healthy workers without occupational exposure to lead. ECG evaluation included the analysis of heart rate (HR), QT interval and repolarization abnormalities. Mean QT interval was significantly greater in the exposed population than in the control group by 2%. In the HE group, mean QT interval was significantly greater than in the control group by 4% and significantly different from those noted in the LE group. Positive correlations between QT interval and lead exposure indices were also reported. Besides, there was a negative correlation between HR and blood lead level. Increased concentration of lead in the blood above 35 μg/dl is associated with the QT interval prolongation, which may trigger arrhythmias when combined with other abnormalities, such as long QT syndrome. Therefore, electrocardiographic evaluation should be a part of a routine monitoring of occupationally exposed populations.

Background: The aim of the present study was to explore the connection between lead toxicity and the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO). In addition, we indicated the uric acid (UA) and creatinine levels and concentration of erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) to estimate oxidative stress intensity. Materials and Methods: The examined group consisted of 125 healthy male employees of zinc and lead works. The examined group was divided into tertiles according to blood lead levels. In the collected blood samples, concentrations of lead-exposure indices, UA, creatinine, and MDA as well as activity of XO were measured concomitantly. The control group consisted of 32 healthy male administrative workers who were exposed to lead only environmentally. Results: XO activity and MDA level were significantly elevated in all tertiles compared to the control group. Creatinine level was significantly elevated in the medium and high tertiles. However, the level of UA was significantly elevated in the high tertile, while in the low and medium tertile only a tendency toward higher values was observed. Conclusions: Occupational exposure to lead induces activity of XO. This induction may contribute to the observed simultaneously increased oxidative stress, measured as MDA level, and the increased level of UA. Med Pr 2013;64(2):175-180

Mikroskopowe zapalenie jelita grubego to częsta przyczyna przewlekłej biegunki niewiadomego pochodzenia. Choroba charakteryzuje się obecnością objawów klinicznych, makroskopowo prawidłowym wyglądem błony śluzowej jelita grubego w kolonoskopii i obecnością typowych zmian w badaniu histopatologicznym. Celem pracy jest przedstawienie nietypowego obrazu histologicznego mikroskopowego zapalenia jelita grubego. Autorzy prezentują przypadek 56-letniego mężczyzny z uporczywą, wodnistą biegunką, z pochopnie rozpoznaną niewydolnością zewnątrzwydzielniczą trzustki. Po wykluczeniu infekcyjnego tła biegunki wykonano kolonoskopię, ukazując makroskopowo niemal prawidłowy obraz jelita grubego. Otrzymano niespójne wyniki badań histopatologicznych. W badaniu mikroskopowym wycinków z okrężnicy potwierdzono rozpoznanie kolagenowego mikroskopowego zapalenia jelita grubego (w preparacie grubość kolagenu podnabłonkowego wynosiła > 10 µm, liczba limfocytów śródnabłonkowych < 20 w przeliczeniu na 100 komórek nabłonka). Tymczasem podczas kontrolnej kolonoskopii w wycinkach z jelita grubego ujawniono cechy zapalenia limfocytowego, w badanych próbkach nie wykazano obecności złogów podnabłonkowego kolagenu. Autorzy analizują czynniki ryzyka zachorowania, odpowiedź na zastosowane leczenie, przebieg kliniczny choroby oraz rozbieżne wyniki badań histopatologicznych.