Effect of chromium(VI) on the status of plasma lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes in chromium plating workers

OBJECTIVES: The present study was carried out to determine the effect of chromium(VI) on the status of plasma lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes in workers exposed to chromium during chromium plating process. METHODS: Fifty subjects working in chromium plating process formed the study group. An equal number of age-sex matched subjects working in administrative units formed the control group. The control subjects were residing in the same city but away from the work place of study group subjects. Urinary chromium levels were determined by using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The plasma lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes were determined by using spectrophotmetric methods. RESULTS: A significant increase of plasma lipid peroxidation and a significant decrease of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels were noted in the study group as compared with the controls. The level of plasma lipid peroxidation was positively and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes were negatively and significantly correlated with chromium levels in urine. Multiple regression analysis was assessed the oxidative stress associated with chromium and life style confounding factors such as BMI, coffee, tea, alcohol and smoking. The multiple regression analysis showed that the urine chromium levels >10 micro g/g of creatinine, smoking, consumption of green vegetables and BMI variables were significantly associated with the levels of oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: The results show that the increased plasma lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) observed in chromium-exposed workers could be used as biomarkers of oxidative stress.