Even at relatively low levels, lead exposure can cause epigenetic changes

A group of Brazilian and Portuguese researchers have observed a correlation between the presence of lead in organisms and microRNA (miRNA).

This change was detected in the blood cells of workers in a car battery factory that uses lead as the raw material

This research was supported by FAPESP, and an article was published in Frontiers of Genetics

"All the studies conducted so far show that, although only preliminary studies, low-level lead exposure is not necessarily related to the absence of adverse reactions, but may be related to molecular events prior to the events caused by chronic lead poisoning identified in the literature, such as neurological System and blood system problems,” said Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron Barcelos, the last author of the article

He added that although low doses are not directly related to health problems, DNA changes should serve as a warning

In Brazil, any lead exposure exceeding 60 μg/dl must be reported to the single health system, national health services and social security authorities

"We analyzed DNA methylation, which is an epigenetic change that mainly occurs in the promoter region that controls gene function

Detect

In a previous study, the research team used samples collected from plants in Paraná state to detect an overall decrease in DNA methylation in the same group of workers

The researchers then decided to look for biomarkers of decreased DNA methylation and identify several miRNAs that may be related to this event

Barcelos said: "The advantage of using miR-148a as a biomarker for lead exposure-induced epigenetic disorders is that these changes in its expression may precede various cell disorders, such as oxidative stress and cell death

Once the pandemic is over, he plans to continue the research and collect more samples from the same cohort over a relatively long period of time to see whether the effects of low-level exposure continue and how organisms adapt to it

 “Association between miR-148a and DNA methylation profile in individuals exposed to lead (Pb)” is at:.