title: Effects of occupational chronic co-exposure to n-hexane, toluen, and methyl ethyl ketone on NK cell activity and some immunoregulatory cytokine levels in shoe workers.
abstract: 1. To evaluate the effects of occupational long-term co-exposure to n-hexane, toluen, and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) on NK cell activity and serum IL-2, gamma-IFN levels, we studied a group of workers employed in a shoe factory where the jobs include use of glues and adhesives containing mainly n-hexane, and at low concentrations, toluen and MEK. 2. No differences were found in these parameters even in those workers with 3.3-fold higher mean levels of urine, 2,5-Hxdn and approximately twofold higher mean levels of urine hippuric acid as compared to controls. 3. We conclude that chronic co-exposure to n-hexane, toluen, and MEK at these levels is not associated with an impairment on either NK cell activity or serum IL-2 and gamma-IFN levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, 06100, Tandogan, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yücesoy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yücel
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erdem
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burgaz
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imir
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Karakaya
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karakaya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002074:Butanones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006586:Hexanes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006626:Hippurates / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012775:Shoes; D014050:Toluene / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D002074:Butanones; D016207:Cytokines; D006586:Hexanes; D006626:Hippurates; D007376:Interleukin-2; C026385:n-hexane; D014050:Toluene; C005222:methylethyl ketone; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C030514:hippuric acid