title: Serum lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzyme pattern in ex-coalminers.
abstract: Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, a marker of cell damage, is increased in several pulmonary disorders, especially when fibrosis is involved. In rats exposed to silica, high levels of LDH activity were found. A rise of serum LDH3 has been associated with lung tissue injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum LDH isoenzyme pattern after coal-dust exposure and the possible relation to pulmonary function tests. Ex-coalminers (n = 201), with a history of coal-dust exposure more than 20 yr ago, were admitted to the authors' hospital for a medical check-up and were included in the study. The serum LDH activity was found to be elevated in 79.1% of the ex-coalminers (634 +/- 245 U I-1). Moreover, in 196 of the 201 cases (97.5%), a high LDH3 level (31 +/- 4%) was demonstrated. A moderate negative relation was found between the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and the LDH activity (r = -0.26; P < 0.001), as well as between FEV1 and LDH3 activity (r = -0.23; P < 0.001), even in the subgroup (n = 42) with a normal LDH. All other liver function tests were within normal limits. These results suggest that coal-dust, even many years after the actual exposure, causes an increase in the total serum LDH activity and changes in the LDH-isoenzyme pattern, mainly characterized by a high LDH3 activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Cobben
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drent
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Schols
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lamers
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Van Dieijen-Visser
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003032:Coal Mining; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood*; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012829:Silicosis / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D007527:Isoenzymes; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase