Human polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis as a tool in detecting biological early effects in workers occupationally exposed to low levels of n-hexane.
Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were chosen to measure two cellular end points--chemotaxis and respiratory burst--and to verify whether they could function as biomarkers of early effect in detecting occupational exposure to n-hexane of apparently healthy shoe workers, without any electroneuromyographic (ENMG) abnormality. Chemotaxis, but not respiratory burst, was found to be impaired. A negative linear correlation between chemotaxis of PMN of those workers that had been exposed to n-hexane versus 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) urinary concentrations were found. This negative trend is consistent with our previous in vitro experimental findings: it was observed that the progressive addition of 2,5-HD to PMN suspensions inhibited chemotaxis in a dose-dependent mode, while chemiluminescence was not modified. Now we have confirmed in vivo that chemotaxis is more sensitive than the respiratory burst response to 2,5-HD. Such results justify the interest in the behaviour of PMN harvested from workers exposed to n-hexane. Since significant inhibition of chemotactic activity was observed in some workers whose urinary 2,5-HD levels were lower than 5 mg l-1, which is the biological exposure index suggested by ACGIH, this study suggests that PMN chemotaxis may be proposed as a useful biomarker in detecting occupational exposure to low level of n-hexane.
Governa
M
M
Institute of Occupational Medicine University of Ancona, Ospedale Torrette, Italy.
Valentino
M
M
Visonà
I
I
Monaco
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005260:Female; D006586:Hexanes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D006588:Hexanones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D012775:Shoes
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D006586:Hexanes; D006588:Hexanones; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C026385:n-hexane; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; C011269:2,5-hexanedione