his study aimed to evaluate current lead concentration (Pb) in topsoil, grass, blood and milk, ALAD activity, hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) i cows (Simmental breed), rearing in three villages situated in different distances from the smelter “ Trepç a” : Kalemend 2km, Boletin 3km and Zazhë 5km and Koliq 40km. The Pb concentration in samples is measured by atomic absorption spectrometry ( AAS), blood ALAD activity is measured according the CEC standardized method. Pb concentration in topsoil and grass in the three villages from smelter is higher (P<0. 001) than Pb concentration in reference. Blood lead level (BLL) in cows from smelter area is higher (P<0. 001) than in control. Milk lead level (MLL) in cows from smelter area is higher compared with control. Blood ALAD activity in cows from smelter area is significantly (P<0. 001) inhibited compared with control. There is adverse correlation (r=-0. 812, P<0. 001) between BLL and ALAD activity in cows from Kelmend, A positive correlation ((r=0. 987, P<0. 001) is established between BLL and MLL in cows from Boletin. There is no significant difference of Hb and Hct values among each group of cows. There was progressive decrease of Pb concentration in topsoil, grass, blood and milk with increasing distance from the smelter. ALAD activity is proved as sensitive and useful biomarker at very low BLLs in cows. The vicinity of smelter still poses threat for livestock welfare and human health.

To describe the relationship of blood lead levels (BLL) and blood, δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity and haematocrit value (Hct) to menopause, were examined 17 pre-or perimenopausal (PreM) and 17 postmenopausal women (PosM) from Prishtina City, the capital of Republic Kosovo. The mean age of the PreM women was 28.8 years (21-46), with a mean blood lead level of 1.2 mg/dL (SD=0.583 mg/dL), the mean blood ALAD activity 53.2 U/LE (SD=2.8 U/LE) and haematocrit value 42.1 % (SD=4.3 %). The mean age of the PosM women was 53.6 years (43-67), with a mean blood lead level 1.9 mg/dL (SD=0.94 mg/dL), the mean blood ALAD activity 44.4 U/LE (SD=7.2 U/LE) and haematocrit value 42.1 % (SD=4.3 %) and 42.2 % (SD=4.4 %). The BPb level of PosM women was significantly higher (P<0.001) in comparison with the BPb level in PreM women. The blood ALAD activity of PosM was significantly inhibited (P<0.002) in comparison with blood ALAD activity in PreM women. The haematocrit values were relatively unchanged. There was established significantly negative correlation between BPb and blood ALAD activity (r=- 0.605; P<0.01) in the PreM women. These results support the hypothesis that release of bone lead stores increases during menopause and constitutes an internal source of exposure possibly associated with adverse health effects on women in menopause transition.

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of environmental pollution with heavy metals from ferro-nickel smelter on Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase (ALAD) activity, and to analyze the blood lead level of feral pigeon (Columba livia) in ferro-nickel smelter courtyard in Drenas City, Republic of Kosovo. For this purpose, twenty specimens of feral pigeon (20 birds, males and females), were collected in Drenas city which were living in ferro-nickel smelter courtyard, and 20 specimens in Lubizhde village as control group (non-contaminated area). ALAD activity in Drenas group was significantly inhibited (P<0.001), compared with ALAD activity of controls. The blood lead level was significantly increased (P=0.015) compared to control group. Correlation between ALAD and blood lead level in Drenas group was negative (r=-0.117, P>0.050) and positive in Lubizhde group (r=0.452, P>0.050), but not in significant difference between the input groups. Feral pigeons can play an important role as bioindicators, which can used to monitor the environmental pollution with heavy metals that may originate from Nickel metallurgy.

Background: The enzyme ALAD (delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase), encoded by the ALAD gene, catalyzes the synthesis of porphobilinogen. The 177G>C (rs1800435) polymorphism participates in the hereditary deficiency of porphobilinogen synthase to cause acute lead poisoning. Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the allelic frequency of the enzyme ALAD in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) compared to the control group. Methods: The fatty liver index (FLI) algorithm was used to diagnose NAFLD in participants of a prospective cohort of the Digestive Diseases Research Institute (DDRI). The ALAD genotypes, ALAD1 and ALAD2, were identified in 100 patients with NAFLD and 200 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The C-allele of ALAD rs1800435 frequency was 5. 5% in the group of patients with NAFLD compared to 3. 3% in the control group, without significant differences (P = 0. 37); however, alleles were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0. 05). Serum ALT level was considerably higher in the ALAD2 carriers group than in the ones not carrying ALAD2 (29. 4 13. 9 vs. 19. 4 10. 1, P = 0. 041). Nonetheless, each C-allele increased the serum ALT level by 1. 24 IU/L (95% confidence interval: 0. 22-2. 67; P = 0. 04). Conclusions: The 177G>C (rs1800435) polymorphism in patients with NAFLD was similar to that of the normal population; however, it can be considered as a risk factor for serum ALT level increase.

Lead exposure is associated with several health hazards among workers with different individual responses. We conducted this study to determine the possible effects of lead exposure on hematological parameters and kidney function of a group of Egyptian ammunition workers and the interaction of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) G177C gene polymorphisms as an effect modifier. Significant differences were observed between exposed workers with ALAD1-1 and ALAD1-2 genotypes in terms of blood lead level, hematological parameters and kidney function. It seems that δ-ALAD gene polymorphism may be an effect modifier and a marker of genetic susceptibility to lead toxicity.