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The Relationship Between Zinc Protoporphyrin Levels in Blood and Lead‐Induced Anemia
Author(s) -
Blumberg W. E.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
israel journal of chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.908
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1869-5868
pISSN - 0021-2148
DOI - 10.1002/ijch.198100010
Subject(s) - zinc protoporphyrin , chemistry , protoporphyrin , zinc , reticulocyte , anemia , lead (geology) , hemoglobin , red blood cell , biochemistry , heme , endocrinology , medicine , organic chemistry , enzyme , porphyrin , geomorphology , messenger rna , gene , geology
The production of zinc protoporphyrin by the erythrocyte has been shown to be a good indicator of lead intoxication. The relationship between zinc protoporphyrin levels in blood and lead‐induced anemia are examined. Serum iron parameters show that the anemia is not related to the lack of availability or transport of iron, but to faulty utilization by the reticulocyte. Although zinc protoporphyrin is produced in response to both lead intoxication and iron deficiency, it is pointed out that plasma iron and lead levels provide a method for differentiating between them.