17-ketosteroids and Lead-Poisoning

In the present study, the metabolism of steroid hormones has been investigated to determine whether and how xenobiotics like lead (Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) interfere with steroid hormone biotransformation in humans.. Three groups of subjects were tested for concentration of urinary total steroids, 17-ketosteroids (n = 5), pregnane derivates (n = 6), 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (n = 11) and their sulfonated compounds: 14 workers exposed to lead, with a mean Pb blood concentration (PbB) of 29.21 microg/dl; 15 subjects exposed to PCBs, with a mean PCB blood concentration (PCBB) of 61.69 microg/l; a control group (n = 25).. The urinary concentrations of 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids were significantly lower in the PCB-exposed groups. There were significantly fewer sulfonated 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the subjects exposed to PCBs as compared to the controls, while the percentage of sulfonated steroids was lower for both 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the PCB-exposed subjects, but only for the 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the group of subjects exposed to Pb (P < 0.05). Pregnane derivate urinary concentrations did not differ between the three groups.. Our results suggest that PCBs and Pb act on steroid hormone metabolism with different effects and only partially using the same hormone pathways; they may cause changes in endogenous hormone homeostasis and interfere with the xenobiotic phase II of detoxification. PCBs interfere on a larger number of steroids and cause more significant effects than Pb. It is likely that different mechanisms are involved in steroid hormone metabolism interference.

Topics: 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; 17-Ketosteroids; Adult; Humans; Lead; Lead Poisoning; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Pregnanes; Sulfonic Acids

We do not know whether complexes of chemical agents produce an accumulation of their respective noxious effects or whether these effects weaken each other and we have no exact methods to quantify these effects. Knowledge of such methods would be important for investigation of environmental health. In the course of researches how to influence infectious diseases by altering natural resistance we have found that it might be possible to use an indicator method: Animals exposed to such a light environmental toxic influence that they seem to be in a good health have a reduced period of survival time and an altered steroid metabolism after infection. The time of survival (after infection) and the steroid metabolism are the indicators of some hidden trouble caused by environmental influence. Here are three examples: 1) The covered intoxication with exhaust fumes, 2) the covered intoxication with lead salt and 3) the covered intoxication with DDT demonstrate the applicability of this method, results being available within a period of 2--3 weeks.

Topics: 17-Ketosteroids; Animals; DDT; Environmental Pollutants; Guinea Pigs; Hydrocortisone; Lead Poisoning; Salmonella Infections, Animal; Salmonella typhimurium; Testosterone; Vehicle Emissions

Topics: 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids; 17-Ketosteroids; Adrenal Glands; Adult; Female; Humans; Lead Poisoning; Male; Middle Aged; Petroleum

Topics: 17-Ketosteroids; Body Fluids; Humans; Lead Poisoning; Occupational Diseases; Steroids; Urinary Tract; Urine