Adaptive changes in redox response and decreased platelet aggregation in lead-exposed workers

• Published in: Environmental toxicology and pharmacology Vol. 100; p. 104134
• Main Authors: Hernández-García, Sandra, Flores-García, Mirthala, Maldonado-Vega, María, Hernández, Gerardo, Meneses-Melo, Facundo, López-Vanegas, Nadia-Cristina, Calderón-Salinas, José-Víctor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-06-2023
• Subjects: Activated platelets; ADP; Lead exposure; Oxidative damage; PGE2; Platelet aggregation; Activated platelets; PGE2; Platelet aggregation; Oxidative damage; ADP; Lead exposure; PGE
• ISSN: 1382-6689; 1872-7077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104134

Chronic lead exposure can generate pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory conditions in the blood, related to high platelet activation and aggregation, altering cell functions. We studied ADP-stimulated aggregation and the oxidant/antioxidant system of platelets from chronically lead-exposed workers and non-exposed workers. Platelet aggregation was low in lead-exposed workers (62 vs. 97%), who had normal platelet counts and showed no clinical manifestations of hemostatic failure. ADP-activated platelets from lead-exposed workers failed to increase superoxide release (3.3 vs. 6.6 µmol/g protein), had low NADPH concentration (60 vs. 92 nmol/mg protein), high concentration of hydrogen peroxide (224 vs. 129 nmol/mg protein) and high plasma PGE2 concentration (287 vs. 79 pg/mL). Altogether, those conditions, on the one hand, could account for the low platelet aggregation and, on the other, indicate an adaptive mechanism for the oxidative status of platelets and anti-aggregating molecules to prevent thrombotic problems in the pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory environment of chronic lead exposure.
•Chronically lead-exposed workers have lower levels of platelet aggregation than non-exposed workers.•Platelets from lead-exposed workers failed to increase superoxide release in response to ADP-activation.•Platelets from lead-exposed workers showed an adaptive mechanism related to the oxidant/antioxidant system.•Lead-exposed workers have elevated plasma PGE2 levels, which contribute to the platelet's adaptive response.