Several groups have reported increased blood lead (Pb) concentrations in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and haemodialysed but normal concentrations were observed by the others. The present study aimed to assess: 1. Pb concentrations in patients with CRF and influence of the haemodialysis on these concentrations. 2. The influence of the erythropoietin (EPO) therapy on the Pb concentrations. 3. The influence of long-term haemodialysis therapy on the Pb concentrations. 101 patients with CRF and 23 healthy subjects were examined. Patients with CRF were divided into two groups: nonhaemodialysed (group I) and haemodialysed (group II). Group two consisted of some subgroups: treated with EPO;--without EPO therapy;--haemodialysed 1-50 months;--51-100 months and > 100 months. Creatinine, Pb, haemoglobin and haematocrit concentrations were measured in all examined patients. Significantly higher Pb concentrations in CRF patients comparing to healthy subjects were found. Among CRF patients significantly lower Pb concentrations were observed in group I and did not differ from those in the control group. After haemodialysis Pb blood concentrations significantly decreased in all examined subgroups. In EPO subgroup in comparison with CRF patients without EPO therapy lower but not significantly Pb concentrations were observed. No significant changes between short and long-term haemodialysed patients were found.
Conclusions: 1. Blood lead concentrations are significantly higher in CRF patients in comparison with healthy subjects. 2. In CRF patients a slight Pb concentration decrease after haemodialysis is observed. 3. EPO treatment has no influence on Pb blood concentrations in examined patients. 4. Long-term haemodialysis treatment has only a slight influence on Pb concentrations in CRF patients.