Metal exposure and oxidative stress biomarkers in a Brazilian agricultural community

Abstract

We examined the association between exposure to metals, metalloids, and oxidative stress biomarkers among rural community residents in Brazil. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate associations between serum metal and metalloid concentrations and blood oxidative stress biomarkers, adjusting for sex, age, education, smoking, and alcohol use. After adjustment for covariates, glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) was inversely and significantly associated with an increase in serum arsenic (As) levels. Positive and significant associations were seen between elevated glutathione reductase (GR) activity and serum cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) concentrations. In addition, we observed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in association with an increase in Ba levels. These findings suggest that toxic metals and metalloids such as As, Ba, Cd, and Pb alter antioxidant enzyme activities. In addition, Ba seems to promote lipid peroxidation.

Keywords:

• Metals
• metalloids
• oxidative stress
• biomarkers
• rural community

Acknowledgments

A.S.E.S. was funded by Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), Brazil (grant n° 88881.134001/2016-01). A.M. was funded by Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) (grants 309152/2018-6).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

A.S.E.S. was funded by Rio de Janeiro State Foundation to Support Research (FAPERJ), Grant Number: E-26/110693/2012, Brazil.