Urinary homovanillic acid and serum prolactin levels in children with low environmental exposure to lead

Current evidence suggests that the neurotoxic effects of lead may partially be mediated through interference with the dopaminergic system. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of two peripheral dopaminergic markers-serum prolactin (Pro-S) and urinary homovanillic acid (HVA-U)-in children living around two lead smelters, who are presumed to be exposed to high environmental lead pollution (n=200), and compare their results with 200 age- and sex-matched controls living in an area unpolluted by heavy metals, giving a total of 400 children (200 boys and 200 girls). The influence of lead exposure on HVA-U and Pro-S was assessed by stepwise multiple regression, testing lead concentrations in blood (Pb-B), age, sex and area of residence as predictors. Though lead levels were significantly higher in boys and in the lead-polluted environment, mean Pb-B values were relatively low, indicating a low uptake of lead in the contaminated environment (39.5 mug l(-1), range 4.6-165 mug l(-1), n=200), and no significant correlation could be found with either Pro-S or HVA-U. However, when the subgroup of 121 children with Pb-B levels above 50 mug l(-1) were considered, a weak positive correlation was found between Pb-B and HVA-U (r(2)=0.04, p=0.03), whilst in the even smaller subgroup of 15 children with Pb-B levels above 100 mug l(-1), Pro-S appeared to be positively correlated with Pb-B, though the numbers of children were too small for the correlation to reach statistical significance (p=0.095). These weak associations, probably not important in biological terms, indicate that Pro-S and HVA-U are not useful biomarkers at present exposure levels to lead in the environment. Nevertheless, the finding of subtle biochemical alterations in the dopaminergic system at Pb-B levels of around 100 mug l(-1) supports the recommended setting of the action level at this value.