Association of low job control with a decrease in memory (CD4+ CD45RO+) T lymphocytes in Japanese middle-aged male workers in an electric power plant

To clarify the relationship between perceived job stress and lymphocyte subpopulations, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 231 male electric power plant workers (aged 40 to 60, mean 46 years). Job stress, i.e., job control, job demands, and social support at work, was assessed by means of the Japanese version of the Job Content Questionnaire. Blood samples were taken from all the workers, and numbers of CD4+ T lymphocyte subpopulations, total CD4+ T, T (CD3+) lymphocytes, CD16CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells, total lymphocytes, and white blood cells were determined. After controlling for age, number of cigarettes smoked per day, alcohol drinking, frequency of regular exercise, job demands, and social support at work by the partial correlation coefficients, numbers of memory (CD4+ CD45RO+) T, total CD4+ T, and total T (CD3+) lymphocytes were positively correlated with job control (p<0.05). Neither job demands nor social support at work showed significant correlations with lymphocyte subpopulations. It is suggested that lower job control is associated with a decrease in the number of CD4+ CD45RO+ T lymphocytes in male middle-aged workers.     

Effects of occupational metallic mercury vapour exposure on suppressor-inducer (CD4+CD45RA+) T lymphocytes and CD57+CD16+ natural killer cells

Objectives: To examine the effects of metallic mercury vapour on the cellular and humoral immune system. Methods: We measured T lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations, B lymphocytes, and serum immunoglobulins (i.e. IgG, IgA and IgM) together with total T (CD3+) lymphocytes and total lymphocytes in blood samples from 20 male, fluorescent-lamp makers (mercury workers) and the same number of gender-, age- and smoking-matched controls. Urinary concentrations of inorganic mercury (UHg) in the 20 workers ranged from 1.8 to 163.5 (mean 44.8) μg/l. They had been exposed to mercury vapour for 4 to 62 (mean 31) months. Results: Numbers of CD4+CD45RA+ (suppressor-inducer) T lymphocytes and total CD4+ T lymphocytes in the mercury workers were significantly smaller than those in the controls (paired-sample t-test, P < 0.01). The number of CD57+CD16+ NK cells was inversely correlated with UHg. Conclusion: It is suggested that numbers of CD4+CD45RA+ T lymphocytes and CD57+CD16+ NK cells are inversely affected by exposure to metallic mercury vapour in workers, with an average urinary inorganic mercury concentration of 45 μg/l being found. Received: 7 September 1999 / Accepted: 6 May 2000     

Decreases in CD8+ T, naive (CD4+CD45RA+) T, and B (CD19+) lymphocytes by exposure to manganese fume

To examine the effects of exposure to manganese (Mn) on the cellular and humoral immune system in men, T lymphocyte subpopulations, B (CD19+) lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and serum immunoglobulins (i.e., IgG, IgA and IgM) together with total T (CD3+) lymphocytes and total lymphocytes were measured in blood samples from 21 welders mainly exposed to Mn fume with blood Mn (BMn) concentrations of 0.6-2.3 (mean 1.4) microg/dl and 21 healthy controls working in the same factory (BMn concentrations: 0.7 to 1.7, mean 1.1 microg/dl). The workers engaged in welding for 6 to 36 (mean 17) yr. All the study subjects were divided into 3 equally sized groups (n=14 for each group) according to BMn concentrations. Numbers of CD8+ T, total T (CD3+), B (CD19+), and total lymphocytes were significantly lower in high-BMn group than those in low-BMn group; the numbers of CD8+ T lymphocytes were significantly lower in moderate-BMn group compared to low-BMn group. After adjusting for age and smoking, significant inverse correlations between BMn concentrations and CD4+CD45RA+ T, CD4+ T, CD8+ T, CD3+ T, and total lymphocytes were found. We conclude that T lymphocytes, especially CD8+ and CD4+CD45RA+ T lymphocytes, as well as CD19+ B lymphocytes are affected by exposure to Mn fume.     

Increase in CD57 + CD16 - lymphocytes in workers exposed to benzidine and beta-naphthylamine: assessment of natural killer cell subpopulations

Previously, we found a decrease in CD4+CD45RA+T lymphocytes in workers exposed to the aromatic amines (AAs) [benzidine (BZ) and beta naphthylamine (BNA)]. For further investigation of the effects of AAs on lymphocyte subpopulations, we measured natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations using two-color staining with anti-Leu7 (CD57) and anti-Leu11 (CD16) monoclonal antibodies in peripheral blood in 78 male dyestuff workers. The workers had been exposed to AAs before 1972 at a chemical plant, either in the production of AAs (40 workers, high-exposure group) or in other work that involved handling dye-stuffs (38 workers, low-exposure group). The controls were 30 “healthy” male volunteers without a history of occupational exposure to AAs or hazardous chemicals. The number of CD57+CD16-cells in the high-exposure group was significantly higher than that in the controls (P<0.01, analysis of covariance with age as a covariate). No significant differences were found in CD57+CD16-, CD57+CD16+ and CD57-CD16+NK cells between the low-exposure group and the controls. It is suggested that a decrease in the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes following exposure to AAs might be compensated by the increase in CD57+CD16- cells, i.e. circulating peripheral lymphocytes with poor NK cell activity.     

Dietary supplementation of probiotic Bacillus polyfermenticus, Bispan strain, modulates natural killer cell and T cell subset populations and immunoglobulin G levels in human subjects

A probiotic is a viable microbial dietary supplement that has beneficial effects such as prevention and treatment of specific gastrointestinal disorders, including counteracting gut barrier dysfunction associated with inflammation and infection. Probiotic Bacillus polyfermenticus, which is commonly called Bispan strain, has been appropriately used for the treatment of long-term intestinal disorders. The use of B. polyfermenticus for immune-related chronic intestinal disease may be appropriate considering that about 80% of the body's immune system is localized in the gastrointestinal tract. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotic B. polyfermenticus on the immune response of human subjects through the quantification of immune cell population and serum levels of immunoglobulins (Igs). Twenty-five male subjects, 20-35 years of age, were randomly assigned to either a control group (n =12) supplemented with a placebo or the experimental group (n = 13) supplemented with B. polyfermenticus tablets at a dose of 3.1 x 10(8) colony-forming units/day for 8 weeks. Dietary intake analyses from 3-day dietary records from three consecutive days including one weekend day and two weekdays revealed no significant differences in total energy and nutrient intakes between the two groups. The humoral immune response was monitored by the number of total B lymphocytes and serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM. To investigate the changes in immune cell populations, percentages of total T lymphocytes, CD4+ helper T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, and CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells were quantified. The concentration of IgG in the experimental group was 12% higher than in the placebo group after 8 weeks of Bispan supplementation. Also, the percentages of CD4+ helper T cells, CD8+cytotoxic T cells, and CD56+ NK cells in the Bispan strain-supplemented group were 32%, 28%, and 35% higher, respectively, compared with the control group. Because of a higher increment of the CD4+ T cell subset than CD8+ T cells, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells was greater in the experimental group. This study suggests that the supplementation of B. polyfermenticus has a potentially positive effect on immune function by enhancing IgG production as well as by modulating the number of immune cell population such as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and NK cells.     

Does job stress affect injury due to labor accident in Japanese male and female blue-collar workers?

To clarify whether job stressors affecting injury due to labor accidents differ between Japanese male and female blue-collar workers, the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), assessing dimensions of job stressors based on the demand-control-support model, was applied to 139 blue-collar workers in a manufacturing factory. Of them, 24 male and 15 female workers suffered from injuries at work. In the female workers with the experience of work injury, the job demand score and job strain index (i.e., the ratio of job demand to job control) of the JCQ were significantly higher and the score of coworker support was significantly lower, than those in the female workers without the experience. High job demand (or, high job strain and low coworker support) was significantly related to work injury in all the female workers. Between the male workers with and without work injury, however, there was no significant difference in any job stressors. This pilot study suggests that high job strain (specifically, high job demand), as well as low coworker support, are important factors affecting work injury in Japanese female blue-collar workers. Further research with a large number of male blue-collar workers will be required to seek other factors that may be associated with work injury.     

Decreases of Natural Killer Cells and T-Lymphocyte Subpopulations and Increases of B Lymphocytes Following a 5-Day Occupational Exposure to Mixed Organic Solvents

The authors examined the effects of organic solvents on lymphocyte subpopulations in blood. Natural killer and T-lymphocyte subpopulations and B (CD19+) -lymphocytes were measured with flow cytometry in 16 male rotogravure printers on a Friday and on the following Monday. Numbers of all 3 subpopulations of natural killer cells (i.e., CD57+ CD16+, CD57-CD16+ and CD57+CD16- cells), 2 subpopulations of T lymphocytes (CD4+ CD45RA+ and total CD8+ cells) and total lymphocytes on Friday were significantly fewer than those found on the following Monday. Conversely, the number of B lymphocytes on Friday was significantly larger than the number on Monday. The number of B lymphocytes was significantly correlated with blood toluene levels on Friday. The alteration in the number of CD57+CD16+ NK cells from Friday to the following Monday was correlated inversely with the corresponding change in exposure level of toluene on Friday. The authors suggest that the effects of mixed organic solvents (primarily toluene) are recoverable decreases of natural killer cells and T lymphocytes and increases in B lymphocytes.     

Decreases of natural killer cells and T-lymphocyte subpopulations and increases of B lymphocytes following a 5-day occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents.

The authors examined the effects of organic solvents on lymphocyte subpopulations in blood. Natural killer and T-lymphocyte subpopulations and B (CD19+) -lymphocytes were measured with flow cytometry in 16 male rotogravure printers on a Friday and on the following Monday. Numbers of all 3 subpopulations of natural killer cells (i.e., CD57+ CD16+, CD57- CD16+, and CD57+ CD16- cells), 2 subpopulations of T lymphocytes (CD4+ CD45RA+ and total CD8+ cells), and total lymphocytes on Friday were significantly fewer than those found on the following Monday. Conversely, the number of B lymphocytes on Friday was significantly larger than the number on Monday. The number of B lymphocytes was significantly correlated with blood toluene levels on Friday. The alteration in the number of CD57+ CD16+ NK cells from Friday to the following Monday was correlated inversely with the corresponding change in exposure level of toluene on Friday. The authors suggest that the effects of mixed organic solvents (primarily toluene) are recoverable decreases of natural killer cells and T lymphocytes and increases in B lymphocytes.     

Increase in Memory (CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+) T and Naive (CD4+CD45RA+)T-Cell Subpopulations in Smokers

To examine the effects of smoking on lymphocyte subpopulations, we measured the following cell subpopulations: CD4+ T-cell subpopulations (i.e., CD4+CD29+, CD4+ CD45RO+, and CD4+CD45RA+ cells); CD8+ T-cell subpopulations (i.e., CD8+CD11a+ and CD8+CD11b+ cells); and natural killer cell subpopulations (i.e., CD16+CD57-, CD16+CD57+, and CD16-CD57+ cells). We measured these subpopulations, together with total CD4+ T, total CD8+T, total CD3+T, B (CD19+), and total lymphocytes, in 10 male heavy smokers, 38 male light-to-moderate smokers, and 33 male nonsmokers. The mean ages were 30 y, 31 y, and 32 y, respectively, and ages did not vary significantly among the smokers. CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+ (memory T) cells in heavy smokers were significantly more numerous than those in light-to-moderate smokers and nonsmokers. Also, these memory T-cell subpopulations were significantly more numerous in light-to-moderate smokers than in non-smokers. The number of CD4+CD45RA+ (naive T) cells was significantly larger in heavy smokers than nonsmokers; numbers of CD4+CD45RO+ T and CD4+CD29+ T cells (memory T cells) were significantly correlated with daily cigarette consumption. Numbers of CD3+ T, CD4+ T, CD19+ B, and total lymphocytes in heavy smokers were significantly larger than in nonsmokers. There were significantly more CD3+ T, CD4+ T, and total lymphocytes in light-to-moderate smokers than in nonsmokers. The numbers of CD4+ T lymphocytes in heavy smokers were significantly larger than in light-to-moderate smokers. Perhaps CD4+ T cell subpopulations, especially memory T cells, are most susceptible to the effects of smoking on lymphocyte sub-populations.     

Effects of smoking and Japanese cedar pollinosis on lymphocyte subpopulations

Approximately 10-30% of the Japanese population suffer from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis in the spring. To date, the effects of this pollinosis on lymphocyte subpopulations have not been examined epidemiologically. To examine the effects of smoking and Japanese cedar pollinosis on lymphocyte subpopulations, we used flow cytometry to measure CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte subpopulations, natural-killer cell subpopulations, B(CD19+) lymphocytes, and total lymphocytes in 61 smokers and 51 nonsmokers. Some of these individuals had histories of pollinosis during November 1993-an off-season for Japanese cedar pollination. Our findings suggested that (a) CD4+ T-lymphocyte subpopulations (i.e., CD4+CD29+, CD4+CD45RA+, and CD4+ CD45RO+ cells) together with total CD4+ T, total T, and total lymphocytes, were increased by the effects of smoking; (b) CD8dim+CD11a+T, and CD8+CD11bt, and CD57+CD16+ natural killer cells, together with total CD8+CD11 a+ T and total CD8+ T lymphocytes, were increased by the effects of pollinosis on smokers, even though no lymphocyte subpopulations were increased by only the pollinosis effects; (c) CD4+CD29+T and CD8dimCD11a+ T lymphocytes were increased by the effects of smoking on pollinosis, and (d) CD4+CD29+ T and CD4+CD45RO+ T lymphocytes, CD8dim+CD11 a+ T, and CD8+CD11b+ T lymphocytes and CD57+CD16+ natural killer cells, together with total CD4+ T, total T (CD3+), total CD8+CD11a+, total CD8+ T, and total lymphocytes, were increased by the combined effects of smoking and pollinosis.     

职业应激对行车调度员糖皮质激素受体及免疫功能的影响

目的探讨慢性职业应激对行车调度人员糖皮质激素受体(GR)及免疫功能的影响.方法采用职业应激量表,将接受调查的112名行车调度人员分为重、中、轻度职业应激组.采集外周静脉血,测定血清皮质醇(GCs)含量、GR水平和CD3、CD4、CD8等淋巴细胞表面分子阳性细胞的百分率,以及血清白细胞介素2(IL-2)水平,并对各项指标进行相关分析.结果与轻度职业应激组血清GCs含量[(181.01±53.41)ng/ml]相比,重、中度职业应激组GCs含量明显增高[分别为(295.43±79.06)、(274.34±70.08)ng/ml],差异有显著性(P＜0.05);而外周淋巴细胞GR水平明显低于轻度职业应激组[分别为(4 330.0±1 001.0)、(3 971.6±966.8)、(5 141.3±1 068.5)位点/细胞],差异亦有显著性(P＜0.05);重度职业应激组T细胞CD3表达百分率明显低于轻度职业应激组[分别为(50.21±10.30)%、(56.87±15.36)%],差异有显著性(P＜0.05);重、中度职业应激组CD4百分率明显低于轻度职业应激组[分别为(23.27±10.01)%、(27.06±7.47)%、(33.31±7.77)%];而重、中度职业应激组的CD8百分率则明显高于轻度职业应激组[分别为(28.16±6.47)%、(25.54±6.70)%、(21.91±5.93)%],差异均有显著性(P＜0.05);重、中度职业应激组CD4/CD8比值明显低于轻度职业应激组[分别为(0.86±0.24)、(1.13±0.26)和(1.60±0.37)],同时,重度职业应激组的CD4、CD8的百分率及CD47/CD8比值与中度职业应激组的差异均有显著性(P＜0.05);重、中度职业应激组血清IL-2水平明显低于轻度职业应激组[分别为(0.77±0.05)、(0.80±0.07)、(1.05±0.12)ng/ml],差异有显著性(P＜0.05).相关分析结果表明,血清皮质醇含量与CD8百分率之间具有明显的相关关系(r=-0.612,P＜0.01).结论慢性职业应激可导致人体糖皮质激素水平升高和GR水平下调,对机体免疫功能具有抑制作用.     

Epidemiology of job stress and health in Japan: review of current evidence and future direction.

With the increasing concern about job stress, there is a growing body of literature addressing psychosocial job stress and its adverse effects on health in Japan. This paper reviews research findings over the past 15 years concerning the assessment of job stress, the relationship of job stress to mental and physical health, and the effects of worksite stress reduction activities in Japan. Although studies were conducted in the past using ad-hoc job stress questionnaires, well-established job stressor scales have since been translated into Japanese, their psychometric properties tested and these scales extensively used in recent epidemiologic studies. While the impact of overtime and quantitative job overload on mental health seems moderate, job control, skill use and worksite support, as well as qualitative job demands, had greater effects on psychological distress and drinking problems in cross-sectional and prospective studies. These job stressors also indicated a strong association with psychiatric disorders, including major depression, even with a prospective study design. Long working hours were associated with a higher risk of myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. There is evidence that the job demands-control model, as well as the use of new technology at work, is associated with higher levels of blood pressure and serum lipids among Japanese working populations. Fibrinolytic activity, blood glucose levels, immune functions and medical consultation rates were also affected by job stressors. It is further suggested that Japanese workers tend to suppress expression of positive feelings, which results in apparently higher psychological distress and lower job satisfaction among Japanese workers compared with workers in the U.S. Future epidemiologic studies in Japan should focus more on a prospective study design, theoretical models of job stress, job stress among women, and cultural difference and well-designed intervention studies of various types of worksite stress reduction.     

Decreases of CD4- and CD8-positive T lymphocytes in retired chromate workers

To investigate the effects of chromates on the human immune system, we measured total T lymphocytes and their two major subpopulations (CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes) in the peripheral blood of 19 retired male workers who had been exposed to chromate at a chemical plant. The results indicated that both CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes were significantly decreased, resulting in decreases in total T lymphocytes and total lymphocytes.     

CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞对哮喘大鼠气道炎症的影响

目的观察CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞（CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg）对哮喘大鼠气道炎症的影响。方法将卵白蛋白（OVA）免疫耐受大鼠CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg细胞过继转移给哮喘大鼠,然后观察支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中细胞计数及分类,ELISA检测BALF中IL-4、IL-5和IFN-1及血清OVA特异性IgE含量,HE染色观察肺组织的病理改变。结果与哮喘组比较,过继转移CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg细胞后哮喘大鼠BALF中细胞总数、中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞百分率降低（P〈0．05）,嗜酸性粒细胞（Eos）百分率明显降低（P〈0．01）;BALF中IL4和IL-5含量明显降低,IFN-1含量明显升高,血清OVA特异性IgE含量明显降低（P〈0．05）;气道炎症明显减轻。结论过继转移OVA免疫耐受大鼠CD4^＋CD25^＋Treg细胞可以明显抑制哮喘的慢性气道炎症。     

维生素AD胶囊对反复呼吸道感染儿童血清25-羟基维生素D水平、机体免疫功能及疗效的影响

目的　探讨维生素AD胶囊对反复呼吸道感染儿童血清25-羟基维生素D水平、机体免疫功能及疗效的影响。方法　反复呼吸道感染患儿116例,随机数字表法分为观察组干预组和对照组,每组58例。对照组常规治疗呼吸道感染,观察组干预组在对照组治疗基础上,加用维生素AD胶囊。比较两组患儿血清25-羟基维生素D水平、免疫功能变化及临床疗效。结果　随访期间,干预组患儿呼吸道感染的发作次数为（2.35±0.59）次,少于对照组患儿的（4.21±0.73）次;治疗前后,干预组外周血CD4+T与CD8+T细胞变化水平高于治疗组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。治疗前后,干预组血清25-羟基维生素D以及免疫球蛋白变化水平高于治疗组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。干预组患儿治疗前后的血清25-羟基维生素D变化值为（25.22±7.65）nmol/L,IgA变化值为（0.91±0.21）g/L,IgM变化值为（0.72±0.13）g/L,IgG变化值为（6.03±0.95）g/L。血清25-羟基维生素D与IgA、IgM、IgG均呈正相关。观察组干预组总有效率为93.10％,高于对照组的74.14％,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论　维生素AD胶囊治疗儿童反复呼吸道感染能够有效促进患儿免疫功能的提高,减少呼吸道感染的发生次数,疗效显著。     

放射工作人员免疫功能检测分析研究

目的　探讨长期低剂量电离辐射对放射工作者免疫功能的影响。方法　应用碱性磷酸酶抗碱性磷酸酶 (A PAAP)桥联酶标技术和单项琼脂扩散法分别对 5 0 0例放射工作人员的细胞免疫和体液免疫进行了检测分析 ,并对该组人群进行为期 1年的个人剂量监测 ,以确定其年有效剂量。结果　该组人群中年有效剂量 97 5 9%低于 5mSv ,CD3 、CD4和CD4/CD8比值均明显低于正常对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,表现为随工龄的增加而降低。体液免疫以放射组中IgG、IgA含量升高为特征 ,各年龄段放射组与对照组相比差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　提示低剂量电离辐射的照射虽可刺激B淋巴细胞分泌免疫球蛋白 ,但同时也可降低T淋巴细胞亚群CD3 、CD4和CD4/CD8的比值。     

Impact of occupational stress on stroke across occupational classes and genders

The aims of the present study were to analyze the association between incident stroke, occupational class and stress and to examine whether the association is found in both men and women in a prospective study of Japanese male and female workers. A total of 3190 male and 3363 female Japanese community-dwelling workers aged 65 or under with no history of cardiovascular disease were followed. Occupational stress was evaluated using a demand-control questionnaire. The impact on stroke was examined in stratified analyses of occupational classes. We identified 147 incident strokes (91 in men and 56 in women) during the 11-year follow-up period. Men with high strain jobs (combination of high job demand and low job control) were nearly three times more likely to suffer from a stroke than men with low strain jobs (combination of low job demand and high job control). Among male workers in low occupational classes (blue-collar and non-managerial work), job strain was associated with a higher risk of stroke. In contrast, there was no association between job strain and incident stroke among male workers in high occupational classes (white-collar and managerial work). No statistically significant differences were found for stroke incidence among the job characteristic categories in all the female participants. However, significant, over five-fold excess risks were found among white-collar and managerial female workers exposed to high job strain, compared with their counterparts with low strain jobs. Our study of Japanese workers provided supportive evidence for vulnerability to occupational stress among lower occupational class workers in males but not in females.     

接触苯女工淋巴细胞亚群及免疫状态调查研究

Peripheral blood from 29 female subjects occupationally exposed to benzene for an average duration of 8.6 years were analysed with monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). Acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE)-positive cells among lymphocytes and serum IgG, IgA and IgM levels were determined simultaneously. The results showed a decreased total number of lymphocytes, reduction of percentages and absolute numbers of both CD2+ and CD4+ cells, decreased CD8+ and CD57+ cell numbers without significant changes in their percentages, a decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratio, an increased CD20+ cell percentage without significant change in its absolute number and a decreased serum IgM level. ANAE(+)-cell percentages of lymphocytes were of marked positive correlation to CD2+ cell percentages. These results indicate that benzene can cause immunosuppressive effects to the exposed subjects and the analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations by means of McAbs may be useful for evaluating early adverse health effects on workers exposed to the toxicant.     

饮水砷暴露对儿童免疫功能的影响

目的 研究高砷饮水对儿童免疫功能的影响.方法 于2006年选择某高砷饮水地区194名9～13岁小学生作为研究对象,采集家庭饮用水样和空腹晨尿,测定水砷和尿砷含量,按照水砷含量分为对照组(P＜0.05mg/L)、暴露组(≥0.1mg/L),进行T淋巴细胞亚群、免疫球蛋白IgG、IgM、IgA和白细胞介素2(IL-2)测定,并对家庭一般情况、饮水水源情况、儿童健康状况、父母健康及职业暴露情况等进行问卷调查.结果 对照组、暴露组儿童尿砷含量中位数分别为0.02和0.12 mg/L,尿砷与水砷含量呈统计学相关.暴露组儿童T淋巴细胞(CD3~+)、CD4~+、CD8~+亚群百分含量均值和CD4~+/CD8~+的均值低于对照组,经t检验,暴露组CD~(4+)亚群百分含量和CD4~+/CD8~+显著低于对照组(P<0.05),而两组间T淋巴细胞(CD3~+)、CD8~+亚群百分含量差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).暴露组男生T淋巴细胞CD~(4+)亚群百分含量显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),暴露组女生CD4~+亚群百分含量和CD4~+/CD8~+显著低于对照组(P<0.05).暴露组儿童血清IgG含量高于对照组(P<0.05),血清IgM含量低于对照组(P<0.05),血清IgA含量两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);对照组和暴露组男生血清免疫球蛋白含量分布情况与全体学生近似,女生血清免疫球蛋白含量差异无统计学意义.两组儿童白细胞介素2含量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 长期饮用砷含量在0.1 mg/L以上的高砷水对儿童的免疫功能可能造成不利影响.儿童外周血T淋巴细胞亚群是水砷暴露非常敏感的健康效应指标之一.     

Immunological abnormalities 17 years after accidental exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

Eighteen workers were reviewed 17 years after accidental exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin). Clinical assessment showed that they were in good health. A study of several biochemical and immunological parameters in these subjects and in 15 carefully matched controls showed no difference in serum concentrations of hepatic enzymes between exposed workers and controls. Although mean serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride were higher in exposed subjects than in controls, the results did not reach statistical significance. Antinuclear antibodies and immune complexes were detected significantly more frequently in the peripheral blood of workers exposed to dioxin. There was no significant difference between exposed workers and controls in the number of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and helper and suppressor T cell counts in peripheral blood, but the number of natural killer cells identified by the monoclonal antibody Leu-7 was significantly higher in workers exposed to dioxin.