Rationale and background: Lead [Pb(II)] affects the higher functions of the central nervous system and undermines brain growth, preventing the correct development of cognitive and behavioral functions at exceedingly low levels of exposure.
Aim of the work: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible leadinduced neurological affections and their mechanism of occurrence. Subjects and methods: For this purpose, 42 subjects were included in this study
and classified into 2 groups: Group I: Included 20 employees working in the wet battery factory (not exposed to lead) and Group II: 22 workers in the same factory working in the wet battery paste. After history taking and full clinical examination about the possible lead-induced toxic effects, ten milliliters of venous blood were collected
from every subject, centrifuged and the serum was used for the estimation of blood lead level, serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α), serum interleukin1 (IL1), metalloproteinase- 9. Results: Cases had statistically significant higher TNF α, IL1 and metalloproteinase- 9 than controls. Conclusion and recommendation: Lead could produce its neurotoxic effects,
presented in the current work by the statistically elevated TNF α, IL1 and metalloproteinase- 9, through altering the normal immune pattern of the nervous system. This study had provided important new insights into the molecular mechanisms of metal toxicity and had opened several exciting avenues of research.