Prostate-specific antigen and its derivatives in young adults occupationally exposed to quarry pollutants in southeastern Nigeria |
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| Authors: | Chinwe O. Ewenighi Uchechukwu Dimkpa Joel C. Onyeanusi Adejumo Babtunde Linus U. M. Onoh Gladys O. Onoh |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria;2. Department of Physiology, Nnewi Campus, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria;3. Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria;4. Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria;5. Department of Nursing Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria |
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| Abstract: | To evaluate the level of total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and effect of duration of exposure to pollutants in quarry workers, 5 mls of blood sample was collected from participants: 72 male quarry workers exposed to quarry pollutants and 72 unexposed controls. PSA estimations were done using the principle of ELISA. Mean total PSA, free PSA, and free-total PSA ratio levels of quarry workers did not differ from those of controls and was below the cutoff for the risk of prostate diseases. Higher mean total PSA and free PSA were observed in workers exposed for > 3 years compared to the unexposed control and workers exposed for ≤ 3 years. Age-adjusted linear regression indicated significant association (R = 0.515; p < .001) between the duration of exposure and total PSA level in quarry workers. This study suggests that longer duration of exposure to the quarry pollutants may elevate PSA level if precautions are not taken to minimize dose of exposure. |
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| Keywords: | Ebonyi State prostate dysfunction prostate-specific antigen pollutants quarry southeastern Nigeria |
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