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In this study, the authors related blood lead concentrations to Apgar scores, birth weight, gestational age, small-for-gestational age, and hypertension in pregnancy (HIP)/toxemia. Data and blood were collected 4 times during pregnancy from 705 women, aged 12-34 yr. Blood lead concentrations, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, were related to reproductive outcomes, abstracted from medical records. Average blood lead concentrations were 1.2 [micro]g/dl (standard error = [+ or -] 0.03). Maternal blood lead concentrations were related significantly to HIP/toxemia--before and after adjusting for age, calcium intake, and race/ethnicity (p < .03). Longitudinal regression analyses revealed that blood lead concentrations in women with HIP/toxemia changed by 0.02 [micro]g/dl for every 0.01 [micro]g/dl change in women without HIP/toxemia. Maternal blood lead concentration and its change were not significantly associated with other reproductive outcomes. Low levels of maternal blood lead concentrations were significantly associated with HIP/toxemia., LEAD is of the more extensively studied reproductive toxicants. (1) Lead readily crosses the placenta; therefore, it may cause fetal and maternal adverse outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, [...]

Increased bone turnover in pregnant women could release lead into their breast milk after birth, according to a study of 45 women. Lead is usually stored in bones, and can remain there for up to 20 years. However, the small amounts of lead in breast milk will probably have a minimal impact on the baby.

Many HIV-infected people may develop nutritional deficiencies that can be prevented with vitamin supplements. Researchers measured the level of 22 nutrients in blood samples from 64 HIV-positive people and 33 healthy HIV-negative people (the control group). Nineteen of the HIV-positive participants had AIDS, 18 had symptoms of HIV infection and 27 were asymptomatic. Compared to the control group, HIV-positive patients had lower blood levels of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E as well as carotene and glutathione. They also had lower magnesium levels. However, they were more likely to have high blood levels of choline and niacin. Those who were taking vitamins had higher levels of B vitamins and vitamin C than those who were not. However, 29% of those who took vitamins still had low blood levels of at least one antioxidant. AIDS patients were more likely to have low blood antioxidant levels than those who were asymptomatic.

A placebo-controlled double-blind trial of the effects of daily micronutrient supplements on circulating vitamin and trace metal concentrations and delayed-hypersensitivity skin test (DHST) responses was conducted. Subjects, aged 59-85 y, were randomly assigned to placebo (n = 27) or micronutrient (n = 29) treatment groups. DHST and circulating concentrations of nine micronutrients were measured before and after 6 and 12 mo of micronutrient ingestion. For the micronutrient group, there were statistically significant increases at 6 and/or 12 mo in the mean serum concentrations of ascorbate, [beta]-carotene, folate, vitamin B-6, and [alpha]-tocopherol. There was a significant increase at 12 mo in the number of subjects in the placebo group with one or more low concentrations. DHST responses to a panel of seven recall antigens were significantly increased at 12 mo in the micronutrient group but not the placebo group. This study demonstrates that daily supplementation with low-to-moderate doses of micronutrients can prevent low concentrations of some micronutrients and can improve DHST responses in healthy, independently living older adults. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;60:437-47.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of lead on Sertoli cell function. Androgen binding protein and inhibin in testicular fluids and classical parameters of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis were measured in adult male rats. For 10 wk, the rats were given water that contained 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% lead acetate. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels in all animals that ingested lead were normal at the middle and end of the experiment, as was the pituitary content of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Histologic examination revealed no disruption of spermatogenesis. Distribution of androgen binding protein in serum, seminiferous tubular fluid, and interstitial fluid was normal, as was the concentration of inhibin in interstitial fluid and seminiferous tubular fluid. However, a significant increase in epididymal androgen binding protein level and a decrease in seminal vesicle weight were observed in rats that ingested water containing 1% lead acetate. These results suggest that the effect of lead on spermatogenesis is not marked in adult Sprague Dawley rats, nor does Sertoli cell function appear to be affected adversely. Lead has been reported to alter in vitro metabolic function of Sertoli cells obtained from 16- to 21-d-old Sprague Dawley rats, and the Sertoli cells of juvenile animals may be more susceptible to lead than those of adult animals. The significant decrease in seminal vesicle weight and the abnormal epididymal androgen binding protein content indicate that lead could affect the male reproductive function in Sprague Dawley rats via its action on male accessory organs., THE ADVERSE EFFECTS of permissible low-level occupational lead exposure on male reproductive function remain controversial. Difficulties in assessing total lead burden via occupational histories or serum lead levels, and the [...]

After a routine blood testing, a local pediatrician discovered that a 13-month-old boy had an elevated blood lead level (BLL) of 57 [micro]g/dL. Since the baby was mostly breast-fed, the pediatrician did a blood test on the mother, and the result showed a BLL of 85 [micro]g/dL As the mother denied any history of pica behavior, the pediatrician suspected a source of lead to which the entire family might have been exposed and tested the father's BLL. The results showed a BLL of 95 [micro]g/dL, and the pediatrician informed the poison center. The subsequent epidemiological investigation revealed that the parents had used a product called Sindoor for food coloring. Laboratory analyses showed that the product contains more than 57.8% of acid-extractable lead by weight. Given the extremely high content of Pb in this product, Sindoor poses a serious risk of lead poisoning if it is used for food coloring. Keywords Lead poisoning; Food coloring; Sindoor, INTRODUCTION While lead-based paint and lead in dust are still the most common causes for elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children, other unusual sources of lead may also pose [...]

Background: Immune function is highly dependent on nutritional status because the large mass and high rate of cellular turnover of the immune system make it a major user of nutrients. Furthermore, nutrient requirements may be increased during acute and chronic infections, including HIV-1 infection. Objective: The current study was designed to assess relations among HIV-1 progression and 11 nutritional and demographic variables. Design: The participants were 106 HIV-infected outpatients and 29 uninfected control subjects (n = 89 men and 46 women; age range: 35-57 y). The HIV-infected subjects represented a broad range of disease progression. Results: We found lower concentrations of plasma and erythrocyte magnesium and of erythrocyte reduced glutathione beginning early in the course of HIV-1 infection. Significantly decreased hematocrit and increased serum copper concentration developed only late in the course of the disease. Statistically significant univariate associations were found between the [CD4.sup.+] T lymphocyte count and hematocrit, plasma magnesium concentration, and plasma zinc concentration. The lowest erythrocyte magnesium concentrations occurred in HIV-infected subjects who consumed alcoholic beverages. Independent variables that were significant joint predictors of [CD4.sup.+] cell count in multiple regression analyses were hematocrit and plasma free choline and zinc concentrations. These 3 factors together explained 43% of the variability in [CD4.sup.+] cell counts. Conclusion: The results provide evidence that compromised nutritional and antioxidant status begin early in the course of HIV-1 infection and may contribute to disease progression. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:809-15. KEY WORDS HIV-1 infection, HIV infection, AIDS, HIV progression, glutathione, magnesium, hematocrit, choline, copper, zinc, ethanol, alcohol, antioxidants