Abstract
Erbil city and Erbil-Gwer Road in Iraq are considered environmentally compromised due to industrial emissions and refinery operations. The levels of heavy metals (Pb, Mo, Fe, Cu, and Mn) oxidative stress (Peroxynitrite and Malondialdehyde), antioxidant (Superoxide dismutase and Ceruloplasmin), liver function tests (ALT, AST, ALP, ALB and TP), and thyroid hormones (TSH, T4 and T3) had been investigated. The correlations between heavy metals (HMS) with oxidative stress, Antioxidant, liver function indicators and thyroid hormones has been examined. This study was conducted on serum samples obtained from 143 subjects, each from rural (Harir), urban (Erbil), and industrial areas. The samples were evaluated using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for heavy metal screening, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for oxidative stress assessment, Automated biochemistry analyzer KINZA 240TX/ISE for liver function evaluation, and Cobas-411 for thyroid hormone measurement. Their relationships underwent statistical analysis. The findings demonstrated that heavy metal concentrations were significantly elevated in industrial regions, specifically for Fe median (Interquartile Range) at 599.1 (723.9) μg. L-1 and Mn 7.534±0.6225 μg. L-1. The median concentration of Cu at 4082 (2824) μg. L-1 in urban populations is markedly lower than that in the other regions. Markers for oxidative stress indicated a significantly elevated level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in urban participants in 1917 (1085) pg. ml-1, but superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) demonstrated markedly reduced levels in urban and industrial individuals, with P-values of 0.0001 and <0.0001, respectively.
The liver tests revealed that elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in urban and industrial participants, 29.06±1.723 IU. L-1 and 21.94±1.162 IU. L-1, respectively. The alkaline phosphate (ALP) levels were significantly elevated in industrial participants (P-value < 0.0001). The study found that industrial workers had significantly higher levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) 2.209±0.1032 μIU. L-1 and lower levels of T3 1.765±0.0227 nmol. L-1 compared to the rural individuals. Lead showed negatively correlation Cp, and positively correlated with MDA, ALT and AST. Iron showed positively correlation ONOO-, ALP and TSH, and negatively correlation with SOD. Furthermore, Cu showed positively correlation with Cp, AST and ALB, and negatively correlation with MDA and TSH. Mn showed positively correlation with ALP, and negatively correlation with SOD and ALB.
This suggests that environmental contamination may contribute to hepatic dysfunction, oxidative imbalance and endocrine disrupt in exposed population.
