Modulating influence of cytochrome P-450 MspI polymorphism on serum liver function profiles in coke oven workers

OBJECTIVES: It was reported previously that topside oven workers with heavy exposure to coke oven emissions had increased serum activities of hepatic aminotransferase in one coke oven plant. This study was conducted to investigate the modifying effect of CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism on liver function profiles in coke oven workers. METHODS: 88 coke oven workers from a large steel company in Taiwan were studied in 1995-6. Exposure was categorised by work area: topside oven workers and sideoven workers. Liver function profiles including serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), r-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (BIL) were examined in the morning after personal exposure measurements. The MspI polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: Five of 23 (22%) topside oven workers and seven of 65 (11%) sideoven workers had the CYP1A1 MspI homozygous variant genotype. With sideoven workers with the combined wild type and heterozygous variant as the reference group in multiple regression models, it was found that topside oven workers with the combined traits had mean AST and ALT activities that were 21% and 46% higher (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 4% to 42% and 12% to 91%, respectively) than the reference group after adjusting for appropriate confounders. Also, topside oven workers with the homozygous variant trait had mean AST, ALT, and GGT activities that were 59%, 68%, and 157% higher (95% CI 21% to 109%, 6% to 168%, and 39% to 374%, respectively) than the reference group. The prevalence of an abnormal hepatocellular pattern (AST > 37 IU/l or ALT > 39 IU/l) was more common in the topside oven workers with the homozygous variant than in the sideoven workers with the other combined genotypes (adjusted odds ratio 9.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 82.3) after adjusting for appropriate confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism may modify the biotransformation of coke oven emissions, which results in hepatocellular damage in coke oven workers.     

某焦化厂职业接触多环芳烃焦炉工肝脏某些酶活性的变化

目的探讨多环芳烃(PAHs)对炼焦作业工人某些肝血清酶活性改变的可能影响。方法对乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)阴性的炼焦作业工人和非PAHs职业接触工人进行总PAHs累积接触指数(CEL-PAHs)评估,尿中1-羟基芘(1-OHP)浓度等级划分,和血清中丙氨酸转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸转移酶(AST)、γ-谷氨酰转移梅(GGT)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)的检测。结果焦炉工职业性PAHs暴露水平明显高于对照组(P<0·05)。与对照组相比,血清ALT的明显升高可见于CEL-PAHs<50μg/(m3·a)组和尿中1-OHP浓度<2·3μmol/mol肌酐CEL-PAHs≥200μg/m3组,血清AST的明显升高可见于CEL-PAHs<50μg/(m3·a)组;当CEL-PAHs(200μg/(m3·a)或尿中1-OHP浓度≥10·0μmol/mol肌酐时,可发现四种肝生化指标实测值的明显升高(P<0·05),以及ALT、AST和GGT异常率的明显升高(P<0·05),以血清GGT水平的升高(10倍CEL-PAHs的上升导致1·24倍血清GGT水平的升高,10倍尿中1-OHP浓度的上升导致1·19倍的升高)和异常率的上升(logistic回归,调整OR值为6·2~7·2,P<0·05)最为明显。结论PAHs职业暴露可导致炼焦作业工人肝脏某些血清酶活性的升高。     

Assessment of coke oven emissions exposure among coking workers

Coking workers are regularly exposed to coke oven emissions, which consist primarily of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds. This study measured the workers' exposure to the benzene soluble fraction of total particulates (BSF). The study population consisted of 88 coking workers as an exposure group and 59 referents. Personal breathing-zone samples of BSF and total particulates were taken from all study subjects for 3 consecutive days. The highest BSF concentrations were found among the topside oven workers (geometric mean; range) (microgram/m3): lidman (515; 72-18, 181), tar chaser (432; 51-4334), and larry car operator (185; 55-649). The lowest was 7 micrograms/m3 in the referents. Among the samples at the topside oven 84% exceeded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard (150 micrograms/m3 BSF). The percentage of BSF in total particulates varied across job classifications, ranging from 0.3% in wharfmen to 24% in tar chasers. Area sampling indicated that the BSF concentration at the topside area was sixtyfold higher than that at the administrative area, which was approximately 2 km from the coke oven plant.     

Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene Levels in Workers Exposed to Coke Oven Emissions at Various Locations in a Coke Oven Plant

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic and mutagenic to humans, are primary compounds in coke oven emissions generated by the coking process. The authors examined the relationship between coke oven workers' urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels and their exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as determined on the basis of work category and pre- and postshift effects in a steel plant in Taiwan. Eighty-eight coke oven workers constituted the exposed group, and 61 office workers in a steel plant located 1.5 km from the coke plant constituted the control group. The benzene-soluble fraction in personal air samples, and 1-hydroxypyrene in urine samples, were measured for 3 consecutive days. The 3-day urinary 1-hydroxypyrene sampling results for topside workers (i.e., those most heavily exposed to emissions) in the coke oven group, and for the control group, as determined from postshift geometric means, were 23.8 μg/gm creatinine and 0.3 μg/gm creatinine, respectively. These values increased to 13.4 and 0.1 μg/gm creatinine, respectively, after an 8-hr work period. The major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for the exposed group was occupational; therefore, the closer workers were to the coke oven, the greater their exposure, and, consequently, the greater their metabolite level. Urinary 1 -hydroxypyrene levels of the exposed group were 80 times higher than those of the control group. Smoking had no significant effect on the excretion of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene. 1-hydroxypyrene levels in the workers' urine during an 8-day period was cumulative (half-life = 18.6 hr). The authors concluded that it would be desirable to switch highly exposed workers to a low-exposure work area, after a period of rest. In addition, urinary 1 -hydroxypyrene was a confirmed, useful biological indicator for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.     

焦炉工外周血TH1/TH2型细胞因子表达与IFN-γ、IL-10 DNA甲基化分析

目的了解焦炉逸散物(coke oven emissions,COEs)暴露的焦炉工多环芳烃(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs)内暴露水平及焦炉工机体外周血白细胞介素-2(interleukin-2,IL-2)、γ-干扰素(interferon-γ,IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-4(IL-4)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)的表达,及IFN-γ、IL-10表观遗传机制在COEs暴露损伤中的表现。方法随机选取某焦化厂炼焦车间接触COEs的85名工人作为暴露组,同是焦化厂非COEs暴露的47名作业工人作为对照组,采集暴露组及对照组工人晨尿进行碱水解-高效液相色谱荧光法检测1-羟基芘(1-OHPyr)水平,尿肌酐校正;采集空腹外周静脉血,用酶联免疫吸附试验测定血清中IL-2、IFN-γ、IL-4和IL-10的表达;采用飞行时间质谱分析IFN-γ和IL-10的甲基化水平。结果焦炉工人尿1-OHPyr含量高于对照组(F=12.446,P<0.05),且炉侧工和炉顶工高于对照组(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,焦炉工血清IL-2含量降低(F=14.774,P<0.05),焦炉工血清IFN-γ含量降低(F=46.379,P<0.05),焦炉工血清IL-4含量升高(F=17.426,P<0.05),焦炉工血清IL-10含量升高(F=33.515,P<0.05),焦炉工血清TH1/TH2比值降低(F=21.677,P<0.05)。在暴露组中,炉顶工IFN-γ水平高于炉底工,炉顶及炉底工IL-10水平低于炉侧工(P<0.05)。暴露组IL-10胞嘧啶(C)-磷酸(p)-鸟嘌呤(G)(CpG)-11、CpG-15和平均甲基化率低于对照组(P<0.05)。暴露组IFN-γCpG-5甲基化率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义。焦炉作业工人尿1-OHPyr含量与TH1/TH2比值、IFN-γ表达水平呈负相关,与IL-4、IL-10水平之间呈正相关。随着尿1-OHPyr浓度增加IL-10 CpG-11、CpG-15甲基化率有降低趋势。结论 COEs暴露的炉侧工与炉顶工为职业健康重点监护对象;焦炉工COEs暴露影响免疫调节细胞因子的表达;COEs暴露引起IL-10甲基化率改变。     

焦化作业工人代谢综合征与脂肪肝流行病学研究

目的 通过焦化作业工人代谢综合征、脂肪肝流行病学研究,为探讨代谢综合征、脂肪肝防治对策提供科学依据。方法选择某冶金焦化厂焦炉和化产作业工龄10年以上的男性工人535人为暴露组：选择不接触或较少接触焦炉逸散物的该厂工龄1年以上的男性工人174人为对照组。调查内容包括现场劳动卫生学调查、一般情况、职业史、个人史、血常规内科检查、血常规、血生化、乙肝五项、B超等。结果焦化生产场所不同程度存在焦炉逸散物（COE）危害,其中炉顶作业区苯并（a）芘（BaP）、苯溶物（BSM）危害比炉侧作业区和化产作业区严重,炉侧作业区BaP、BSM浓度比化产作业区略高。炉顶作业组高血压、代谢综合征、脂肪肝检出率分别为28．2％、10．4％、19．3％,炉侧作业组脂肪肝检出率为20．3％．均高于对照组（P〈0．05）;化产作业组高血压检出率为31．7％,与对照组（17．2％）相比,两者有极显著性差异（P〈0．01）。结论焦化作业工人中焦炉作业工人代谢综合征、脂肪肝高发可能与其职业暴露有关,COE有可能导致机体胰岛素抵抗（1R）而使代谢综合征和脂肪肝发生,应引起高度重视。     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in Chinese coke oven workers relative to job category, respirator usage, and cigarette smoking

BACKGROUND: 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) is a biomarker of recent exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We investigated whether urinary 1-OHP concentrations in Chinese coke oven workers (COWs) are modulated by job category, respirator usage, and cigarette smoking. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study measured urinary 1-OHP concentrations in 197 COWs from Coking plant I and 250 COWs from Coking plant II, as well as 220 unexposed referents from Control plant I and 56 referents from Control plant II. RESULTS: Urinary 1-OHP concentrations (geometric mean, micromol/mol creatinine) were 5.18 and 4.21 in workers from Coking plants I and II, respectively. The highest 1-OHP levels in urine were found among topside workers including lidmen, tar chasers, and whistlers. Benchmen had higher 1-OHP levels than other workers at the sideoven. Above 75% of the COWs exceeded the recommended occupational exposure limit of 2.3 micromol/mol creatinine. Respirator usage and increased body mass index (BMI) slightly reduced 1-OHP levels in COWs (P < 0.1). Cigarette smoking significantly increased urinary 1-OHP levels in unexposed referents (P < 0.005), but had no effect in COWs (P > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese COWs, especially topside workers and benchmen, are exposed to high levels of PAHs. Urinary 1-OHP concentrations appear to be modulated by respirator usage and BMI in COWs, as well as by smoking in unexposed referents.     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in coke oven workers

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relation of individual occupational exposure to total particulates benzene soluble fraction (BSF) of ambient air with urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) concentrations among coke oven workers in Taiwan. METHODS: 80 coke oven workers and 50 referents were monitored individually for the BSF of breathing zone air over three consecutive days. Exposures were categorised as high, medium, or low among coke oven workers based on exposure situations. The high exposure group (n = 18) worked over the oven. The medium and low exposure groups (n = 41 and n = 21) worked at the side of the oven for > 4 hours and < 4 hours a day, respectively. Urine was collected before the shift on the morning of day 1 and after the shift on the afternoon of day 3 to find the change of 1-OHP concentrations across the shift. RESULTS: The median (range) changes of urinary 1-OHP concentrations across the shift for various exposure situations (microgram/g creatinine) were as follows: high 182 (7 to 3168); medium 9 (-8 to 511); low 7 (-6 to 28); and referents 0.2 (-2 to 72). This change of urinary 1-OHP was highly associated with individual occupational exposure to the BSF in air (r = 0.74 and 0.64, p < 0.001). The regression model showed significant effects of individual exposures to the BSF and alcohol consumption on urinary postshift 1-OHP after adjusting for preshift 1-OHP in the total population (n = 130). More exposure to the BSF led to higher postshift 1-OHP (p < 0.001); current drinkers of > 120 g/week had lower urinary postshift 1-OHP than never and former drinkers (p = 0.01). A 10-fold increase in the average BSF in air resulted in about a 2.5-fold increase in postshift 1-OHP among the 80 coke oven workers. CONCLUSION: Urinary 1-OHP concentrations can be used as a good biomarker to assess individual exposure to the BSF in air. Alcohol drinking may modify the toxicokinetic pathway of the BSF; the effects of alcohol should be investigated further in occupational studies.

 

     

焦炉工尿中1-羟基芘水平与外周血淋巴细胞染色体损伤的关系

目的 研究焦炉工尿中1-羟基芘水平与外周血淋巴细胞胞质分裂阻滞微核(CBMN)率的关系.方法 分别选取158名焦炉作业工人(接触组)和158名非职业接触人员(对照组),使用碱水解-高效液相色谱法测定尿中1-羟基芘浓度作为个体多环芳烃接触内剂量,应用CBMN法评价研究对象外周血淋巴细胞染色体损伤,使用调查表收集对象的职业接触史、年龄、性别、吸烟和饮酒状况等信息.结果 调整了年龄、性别、吸烟和饮酒状况后,接触组外周血淋巴细胞CBMN率(3.32‰±2.90‰)明显高于对照组(0.57‰±0.88‰),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),呈炉顶工＞炉侧工＞炉底工＞对照组的分布,组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).且接触组CBMN率与尿中1-羟基芘水平呈正相关(r=0.28,P＜0.05).进一步按尿中1-羟基芘水平将研究对象分成0.11～0.70(104人)、0.71～4.09(107人),4.10～24.74 μmol/mol Cr组(105人)3个内剂量组,使用多元非参数协方差分析校正了不同内剂量组个体的年龄、性别、吸烟和饮酒状况后,0.71～4.09 μmol/mol Cr组的CBMN率为1.89‰±2.37‰,4.10～24.74μmol/mol Cr组的CBMN率为3.29‰±2.36‰,均明显高于0.11～0.70μmol/mol Cr组0.56‰±0.89‰,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).接触工龄和吸烟对CBMN率无影响.结论 焦炉工外周血淋巴细胞CBMN率随尿中1-羟基芘浓度的增加而明显增加.     

焦炉工职业性多环芳烃暴露特征的研究

目的 探讨焦炉工职业性多环芳烃暴露特征。方法 个体采样、高效液相色谱法测定作业环境中多环芳烃含量,以分析焦炉工职业暴露特征,并引入毒性当量因子概念,评价焦炉工职业性多环芳烃暴露的致癌潜能。结果 焦化厂炉顶工多环芳烃职业暴露水平明显高于炉侧工和炉底工,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);焦炉工多环芳烃职业暴露中非致癌性物质所占比例>70％,致癌性物质中苯并(a)芘(B[a]Py)占总B[a]Py等当量浓度的65.5％-72.4％;多环芳烃职业暴露总量和B[a]Py及芘含量呈正相关(r2分别为0.84和0.94,P<0.05)。结论 焦炉工职业性多环芳烃暴露水平较高且具有一定的致癌潜能,致癌性物质以B[a]Py为主。     

焦炉逸散物对焦炉工氧化还原物及P53和P21表达的影响

目的 观察接触焦炉逸散物(coking oven emissions,COE)的焦炉工血清丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)水平,以及外周血淋巴细胞P53、P21蛋白质表达.方法 选择焦炉作业工人56人为接触组,非焦炉作业工人40人为对照组.采用硫代巴比妥酸法和黄嘌呤氧化快速比色法,分别测定血清MDA含量和T-SOD水平,并用免疫组织化学法,检测外周血淋巴细胞P53及P21蛋白质表达.结果 接触组血清MDA含量[(5.35±2.29)mnol/ml]明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),血清T-SOD水平[(100.04±10.75)NU/ml]明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);接触组外周血P53及P21蛋白质表达阳性率分别为21.4%和23.2%,均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 COE可导致职业性接触人群MDA含量增高及T-SOD水平降低,P53和P21蛋白质表达阳性率增高.     

广西某焦化厂工人脂肪肝患病情况调查

目的了解广西某焦化厂工人脂肪肝检出情况及脂肪肝患病的相关因素。方法选择该厂从事焦化作业且工龄1 a以上的工人1078名为接触组,选择不接触焦炉逸散物（COE）工龄1 a以上的后勤保障工人700名为对照组,采用肝脏B超检查确定脂肪肝患病情况并进行统计分析。结果接触组工人脂肪肝患病率为37.20%,较对照组的11.29%明显增高,2组间差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。随着接触工龄的增加,接触组工人脂肪肝检出率也随之上升。结论职业危害因素及不良生活习惯是诱发工人脂肪肝的重要因素,应采取相应的手段及健康教育措施改善职业人群的健康状况。     

焦炉逸散物对作业工人呼吸系统影响的研究

目的　为探讨焦炉逸散物（ＣＯＥ） 对作业工人呼吸系统的影响。方法　对４６５ 名焦炉作业工人和３６５ 名对照工人进行了体格检查、胸部Ｘ 线摄片和肺功能测定。结果　与对照相比,作业工人呼吸道炎、咽喉炎发生率明显增高;Ｘ 线异常改变主要表现在肺纹理与肺门的变化,工龄超过２０ 年的有统计学意义;ＦＥＶ１ ．０ 、ＦＥＶ１ ％ 、ＭＭＦ、ＦＥＦ５０％ 、ＦＥＦ７５ ％ 等肺功能指标明显下降,工龄＜ １０ 年者ＦＥＦ７５％ 差异具有极显著性,工龄１０ ～２０ 年者ＦＥＦ５０ ％ 差异有显著性;工龄＞ ２０ 年者ＦＥＶ１ ％ 、ＭＭＦ、ＦＥＦ５０ ％ 、ＦＥＦ７５％ 的差异具显著性或极显著性意义。结论　提示接触ＣＯＥ 可引起肺通气功能减退和呼吸系统的损害,且随工龄延长有加重的趋势。     

焦炉作业工人血清中脂质过氧化水平分析

目的探讨焦炉逸散物(COE)对焦炉工人血清丙二醛(MDA)和过氧化氢(H2O2)含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活力的影响。方法选择焦炉作业工人152名为暴露组,非焦炉作业工人125名为对照组。采集清晨空腹静脉血并用试剂盒检测血清MDA、H2O2含量及SOD、GSH-PX活力。结果暴露组血清MDA、H2O2含量均高于对照组,SOD、GSH-PX活力均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);暴露组按工种分层后,炉顶工组血清MDA、H2O2含量均高于炉侧工组,SOD、GSH-PX活力均低于炉侧工组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论焦炉逸散物可引起作业工人膜脂质过氧化损伤,血清MDA、H2O2、SOD和GSH-PX可作为焦炉工人职业危害的健康监护指标。     

Effects of benzo[a]pyrene on autonomic nervous system of coke oven workers

Objectives are to investigate the effects of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on the autonomic nervous system of coke oven workers. One hundred eighty-four coke oven workers were divided into 3 groups according to their working sites (coke oven bottom group, coke oven side group and coke oven top group), and 93 referents were recruited. B[a]P monitored by air sampling pumps as well as urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-Py) was determined by high performance liquid chromatograph with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FD). The autonomic nervous system (ANS) function was determined by 4 tests: Valsalva Manoeuvre heart rate variation (HR-V), variation of heart rate when breathing deeply (HR-DB), variation of heart rate when instantly standing up (HR-IS, including RR30:15 and RRmax:min) and variation of blood pressure when instantly standing up (BP-IS). The B[a]P mean concentrations in coke oven bottom, coke oven side and coke oven top were 19, 185 and 1,623 ng/m(3), respectively. The levels of urinary 1-OH-Py were markedly higher in the 3 exposed groups than that in the referent group (p<0.01). No significant difference was found in each group between smokers and non-smokers (p>0.05). Compared with referents, HR-V decreased significantly in coke oven workers (p<0.01), representing modulation of parasympathetic nervous function. However, no statistical differences were found in HR-DB, RR30:15, RRmax:min and BP-IS between the exposed groups and the control group (p>0.05). HR-V decreased with the increment of 1-OH-Py (p<0.05), and results of multiple linear stepwise regression demonstrated that external exposure level and duration of education entered the HR-V model; age was a significant factor of HR-DB and RRmax:min, but no variable was involved in RR30:15 and BP-IS regression. Benzo[a]pyrene affects the autonomic nervous function of coke oven workers mainly by down-regulating the parasympathetic nervous function.     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels in workers exposed to coke oven emissions at various locations in a coke oven plant

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic and mutagenic to humans, are primary compounds in coke oven emissions generated by the coking process. The authors examined the relationship between coke oven workers' urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels and their exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as determined on the basis of work category and pre- and postshift effects in a steel plant in Taiwan. Eighty-eight coke oven workers constituted the exposed group, and 61 office workers in a steel plant located 1.5 km from the coke plant constituted the control group. The benzene-soluble fraction in personal air samples, and 1-hydroxypyrene in urine samples, were measured for 3 consecutive days. The 3-day urinary 1-hydroxypyrene sampling results for topside workers (i.e., those most heavily exposed to emissions) in the coke oven group, and for the control group, as determined from postshift geometric means, were 23.8 microg/gm creatinine and 0.3 microg/gm creatinine, respectively. These values increased to 13.4 and 0.1 microg/gm creatinine, respectively, after an 8-hr work period. The major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for the exposed group was occupational; therefore, the closer workers were to the coke oven, the greater their exposure, and, consequently, the greater their metabolite level. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels of the exposed group were 80 times higher than those of the control group. Smoking had no significant effect on the excretion of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene. 1-hydroxypyrene levels in the workers' urine during an 8-day period was cumulative (half-life = 18.6 hr). The authors concluded that it would be desirable to switch highly exposed workers to a low-exposure work area, after a period of rest. In addition, urinary 1-hydroxypyrene was a confirmed, useful biological indicator for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.     

焦炉作业工人血清免疫球蛋白含量的观察

为了探讨焦炉作业人免疫功能的状况,对３０８名从事焦炉作业５年以上工龄的男性工人及可比的机总厂５２名对照工人进行了血清免疫球蛋白含量的检测。结果表明,与对照组比较,焦炉作业组各作业区工人血清ＩｇＧ含量均增高,炉顶与米侧组具显著性差异（Ｐ〈０．０５）;ＩｇＡ、ＩｇＭ含量在炉顶与炉侧组也增高,且ＩｇＭ含量差异有显著性（Ｐ〈０．０５）。ＩｇＧ、ＩｇＡ含量与工龄无关,ＩｇＭ含昊高工龄段明显降低。表明焦炉作业     

Elevated levels of urinary 8-hydroxy-2 -deoxyguanosine, lymphocytic micronuclei, and serum glutathione S-transferase in workers exposed to coke oven emissions

To investigate associations among occupational exposure to coke oven emissions (COEs), oxidative stress, cytogenotoxic effects, change in the metabolizing enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), and internal levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coke oven workers, we recruited 47 male coke oven workers and 31 male control subjects from a coke oven plant in northern China. We measured the levels of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and 8-hydroxy-2 -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine, micronucleated binucleated cells (BNMNs) in peripheral blood lymphocyte, and GST in serum. Our results showed that the group exposed to COEs had significantly increased levels of 1-OHP [median 5.7; interquartile range (IQR), 1.4-12.0 micromol/mol creatinine] compared with the control group (3; 0.5-6.4 micromol/mol creatinine). In addition, the median levels (IQR) of 8-OHdG, BNMNs, and GST were markedly increased in the exposed [1.9 (1.4-15.4) micromol/mol creatinine; 6 (2-8) per thousand ; 22.1 (14.9-31.2) U/L, respectively] compared with controls [1.3 (1.0-4.0) micromol/mol creatinine, 2 (0-4) per thousand; and 13.1 (9.5-16.7) U/L, respectively]. These results appeared to be modified by smoking. However, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that exposure to COEs had the highest odds ratio among variables analyzed and that smoking was not a significant confounder of the levels of studied biomarkers. Overall, the present findings suggest that COE exposure led to increased internal PAH burden, genetic damage, oxidative stress, and GST activity. The consequences of the changes in these biomarkers, such as risk of cancer, warrant further investigations.     

焦炉工人外周血淋巴细胞热休克蛋白72水平及与DNA损伤的关系

目的研究焦炉逸散物对焦炉工人外周血淋巴细胞热休克蛋白72（Hsp72）水平的影响及与DNA损伤的关系，探讨Hsp72在细胞损伤保护中的意义。方法选取267名焦炉工人和30名对照，以Western blot法检测外周血淋巴细胞Hsp72的水平，彗星试验检测DNA损伤水平，个体采样采集作业环境空气样本，高效液相色谱法测定环境苯并[a]芘浓度。结果高暴露组工人外周血淋巴细胞Hsp72水平（G±SG）和Olive尾矩（G±SG）分别为1．24±0．42和4．49±1．24，明显高于低暴露组（1．01±0．35和2．99±1．10）和对照组（0．85±0．34和2．40±1．00），差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。以全体研究对象Hsp72中位数为界值，将研究对象分为Hsp72高表达组和低表达组，Hsp72高表达的人数相对比率在对照组、低暴露组、高暴露组分别为36．7％、43．1％和58．3％，呈逐渐增高趋势，差异有统计学意义（P=0．003）。在Hsp72高表达组，Hsp72表达水平随着暴露等级升高而升高，其中高暴露组与对照组的差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），但各组之间Olive尾矩的差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。在Hsp72低表达组中，各组Hsp72水平的差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05），而Olive尾矩随暴露等级升高而升高，其中高暴露组与低暴露组和对照组比较，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01），且明显高于Hsp72高表达组的高暴露组工人。高暴露组Hsp72水平与Olive尾矩呈负相关（r=0．503，P〈0．01）。结论焦炉逸散物可诱导焦炉工人外周血淋巴细胞Hsp72水平升高，Hsp72对细胞DNA损伤具有保护作用。