Elevated lead levels in relation to low serum neuropeptide Y and adverse behavioral effects in preschool children with e-waste exposure

Xiang Zeng; Cheng Xu; Xijin Xu; Yu Zhang; Yu Huang; Xia Huo

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129380

Elevated lead levels in relation to low serum neuropeptide Y and adverse behavioral effects in preschool children with e-waste exposure

Chemosphere. 2021 Apr:269:129380. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129380. Epub 2020 Dec 21.

Authors

Xiang Zeng¹, Cheng Xu², Xijin Xu³, Yu Zhang⁴, Yu Huang², Xia Huo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China.
² Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, And Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
³ Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, And Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
⁴ Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, And Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, 9713, GZ, the Netherlands.
⁵ Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: xhuo@jnu.edu.cn.

PMID: 33383249
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129380

Abstract

As a neurotoxicant, lead (Pb) primarily affects central nervous system, and particularly impacts developing brain. This study explores the associations of blood Pb level and children's behavioral health. A total of 213 preschool children aged 3-7 years old were recruited from Guiyu (the e-waste-exposed area) and Haojiang (the reference area). The behavioral health of children was assessed using the 'behavioral symptoms' subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results showed that there was a significant difference in percent of children categorized as "at risk" between Guiyu (48.2%) and Haojiang (13.9%) (p < 0.001). The blood Pb level of children in Guiyu was significantly higher than those in Haojiang (median: 5.19 μg/dL vs. 3.42 μg/dL, p < 0.001). The serum Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was significantly lower in Guiyu children than those in Haojiang. Spearman correlation analyses demonstrated that blood Pb levels was negatively correlated with NPY (r_s = -0.25, p < 0.001), but positively correlated with behavioral symptom scores; while serum NPY levels were negatively associated with behavioral symptom scores. Behavioral symptom scores were higher in children with blood Pb level ≥5.00 μg/dL (high) than those with blood Pb level < 5.00 μg/dL (low). After adjusting for confounding factors, children with lower NPY levels were at higher risk of having behavioral difficulties. In conclusion, Pb exposure in e-waste-exposed areas may lead to decrease in serum NPY and increase in the risk of children's behavioral problems. In addition, NPY may mediate the association between Pb exposure and behavioral difficulties.

Keywords: Behavioral difficulties; E-waste; Lead; NPY; Preschool children.

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
China
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
Electronic Waste* / analysis
Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
Environmental Exposure / analysis
Humans
Lead / toxicity
Neuropeptide Y

Substances

Neuropeptide Y
Lead