Determination of Lead and some Parameters of Oxidative Stress in Exhaust Fume in Relation to Age in Commercial Tricyclists in Kano Municipal

Determination of Lead and some Parameters of Oxidative Stress in Exhaust Fume in Relation to Age in Commercial Tricyclists in Kano Municipal

Idoko Alexander^1*, Muhammad Gwarzo Yalwa.², Adamu Jibrin Alhassan³ and Rita Ogochukwu Ngwu¹  Nwali Onubuiwe Nelson¹ & Ibrahim Usman Muhammad³

¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Caritas University Amorji – Nike, P.M.B. 01784, Enugu

²Department of Medical Laboratory Science Faculty of Medicine,Bayero UniversityP.M.B.  3011, Kano

³Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Basic Sciences, Bayero University P.M.B. 3011, Kano

E-mail: idokoalexander1@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Implication of particulate participation of exhaust fumes in exacerbating cellular damage has been researched. The purpose of this research is to determine the particulate inhalation of exhaust fume, specifically, Lead with some biomarkers of oxidative stress, among different ages of commercial tricyclists. This was investigated in 120 apparently healthy non smokers’ commercial tricyclists and non-drivers in Kano Metropolis, achieved by determining serum Lead level, Plasma Malondialdehyde level, Catalase activity, Vitamin C and Vitamin E levels in the subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups; commercial tricyclists (N = 70-Test) and control group (N = 50-non-drivers). The level of Plasma malondialdehyde was significantly higher (p<0.05) in test group (12.92±4.89 µM) compared with control group (5.88±4.91 µM). Similarly, the level of serum vitamin E is significantly higher (p<0.05) in test group (32.05±10.66 µg/L) compared with control group (21.42±8.55 µg/L). Serum vitamin C test group (2.02±0.99 mg/dL) shows a significance increase (p<0.05) over control group (1.35±0.84 mg/dL). The blood lead level of test group is significantly higher (p<0.05) (16.36±8.53 µg/dL) compared with control group (9.44±4.86 µg/dL). There was no statistical significant difference between the test group compared to control group in catalase. Higher plasma malondialdehyde in test group was suggestive of higher oxidative stress in the subjects. As a result of the raised blood lead levels, MDA levels tends to be raised with increase in age, and accumulative in adults than in children as age progresses. Thus, the significance of this study reveals cautiousness to occupational and accidental exposures to exhaust fumes.

Keywords: Exhaust fumes; Lead; oxidative stress; Reactive Oxygen Species; antioxidants