Blood Lead Level and Δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Activity in Pre-Menopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

To describe the relationship of blood lead levels (BLL) and blood, δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase
(ALAD) activity and haematocrit value (Hct) to menopause , were examined 17 pre-or perimenopausal (PreM) and
17 postmenopausal women (PosM) from Prishtina City, the capital of Republic Kosovo. The mean age of the PreM
women was 28.8 years (21-46), with a mean blood lead level of 1.2 μg/dL (SD=0.583 μg/dL ) , the mean blood
ALAD activity 53.2 U/LE (SD= 2.8 U/LE) and haematocrit value 42.1 % (SD= 4.3 %). The mean age of the PosM
women was 53.6 years (43-67), with a mean blood lead level 1.9 μg/dL (SD=0.94 μg/dL), the mean blood ALAD
activity 44.4 U/LE (SD=7.2 U/LE) and haematocrit value 42.1 % ( SD= 4.3 %) and 42.2 % (SD=4.4 %). The BPb
level of PosM women was significantly higher (P<0.001) in comparison with the BPb level in PreM women. The
blood ALAD activity of PosM was significantly inhibited (P<0.002) in comparison with blood ALAD activity in
PreM women. The haematocrit values were relatively unchanged. There was established significantly negative
correlation between BPb and blood ALAD activity (r=- 0.605; P<0.01) in the PreM women. These results support
the hypothesis that release of bone lead stores increases during menopause and constitutes an internal source of
exposure possibly associated with adverse health effects on women in menopause transition.