Effects of oxidative stress on blood pressure and electrocardiogram findings in workers with occupational exposure to lead

OBJECTIVE: To observe the correlation between the oxidative stress index and cardiovascular system damage in a population with lead exposure. METHODS: Two populations (144 manufacturing workers and 94 administrators) from a lead–acid battery manufacturer in Shandong Province in China were recruited. The blood lead level, oxidative stress index, blood pressure, electrocardiogram findings, and their correlations were analyzed in both groups. RESULTS: The blood lead level was significantly higher in manufacturing workers than administrators (254.34 vs. 65.32 µg/L, respectively). The differences in the oxidative stress index, serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) concentration, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration between the two populations were statistically significant. The rates of abnormal blood pressure and electrocardiogram findings were significantly higher in manufacturing workers than administrators. Workers with middle- and high-dose lead exposure had lower T-SOD and higher MDA concentrations than those with low-dose lead exposure. Significant correlations were found between the blood lead level and the MDA concentration, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and electrocardiogram findings. Linear multiple regression analysis showed that T-SOD was negatively associated with blood lead, electrocardiogram findings, and MDA. CONCLUSION: Lead exposure can lead to oxidative stress, increased blood pressure, and abnormal electrocardiogram findings and may impact cardiovascular diseases through oxidative stress.