@article{3046876,
    title = "DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC-ACID DEHYDRATASE AS AN INDEX OF LEAD TOXICITY -
TIME FOR A REAPPRAISAL",
    author = "CHALEVELAKIS, G and BOURONIKOU, H and YALOURIS, AG and ECONOMOPOULOS, T and and ATHANASELIS, S and RAPTIS, S",
    journal = "European Journal of Clinical Investigation",
    year = "1995",
    volume = "25",
    number = "1",
    pages = "53-58",
    publisher = "Wiley",
    issn = "0014-2972, 1365-2362",
    doi = "10.1111/j.1365-2362.1995.tb01526.x",
    keywords = "DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID DEHYDRATASE; IRON DEFICIENCY; LEAD TOXICITY",
    abstract = "delta-Aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase activity is traditionally
accepted as the most sensitive measurable biological index of lead
toxicity. We have measured delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase
activity and blood lead concentration in 47 healthy controls (A), 42
iron deficient patients (B) and 38 occupationally exposed to lead
subjects (C). Blood lead levels [($) over bar x (SD)] did not differ
between groups A and B [0.51 (0.21) and 0.43 (0.19) mu mol L(-1),
respectively] while those of group C [2.28 (0.56) mu mol L(-1) were
significantly higher (P < 0.001) as compared to the controls.
delta-Aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase activity [($) over bar x (SD)]
was significantly increased [3599 (1909) mu mol L(-1) h(-1)] in group
B and decreased in group C [1052 (532) mu mol L(-1) h(-1)] as compared
to the controls [2034 (446) mu mol L(-1) h(-1)] (P < 0.001). There was
a significantly negative correlation of logarithm of
delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase with lead in both groups B (P <
0.05) and C (P < 0.001) but not in group A (P = 0.1).
delta-Amino-laevulinic acid dehydratase activity had a high specificity
(100%) but a low sensitivity (37%) as an index of toxic lead exposure.
According to our data the value of delta-aminolaevulinic acid
dehydratase measurement in the diagnosis of lead intoxication is
doubtful in cases with low blood lead levels, while in the presence of
iron deficiency its reliability is further reduced, since low blood lead
levels may be falsely predicted. delta-Aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase
activity should be restricted only to monitoring cases with moderate or
severe lead poisoning."
}