Erythrocyte Pyrimidine 5'-Nucleotidase Test for Occupational Lead Exposure

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Abstract
Using a high-performance liquid chromatograph, erythrocyte pyrimidine 5''-nucleotidase (P5N) tests were performed in normal controls and lead workers. The erythrocyte P5N was very stable even if whole blood was stored at 4.degree. C for one week. In 77 lead-exposed workers, the erythrocyte P5N activity was markedly inhibited by lead and the log of the P5N activity was closely correlated with the blood lead (r = -0.85). When the response of the P5N activity to blood lead was compared with that of various parameters (erythrocyte ALA-D, erythrocyte protoporphyrin, urinary .delta.-aminolevulinic acid, and urinary coproporphyrin) related to porphyrin metabolism, the P5N activity was found to have the highest response to lead among these parameters. These findings indicate that the P5N test represents one of the most reliable indicators for evaluating levels of occupational lead exposure.

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