title: Lymphocyte subsets and sister-chromatid exchanges in the students exposed to formaldehyde vapor.
abstract: The present report evaluates the effects of formaldehyde (FA) exposure on peripheral lymphocytes by using both genetic and immunological parameters. Twenty-three non-smoking students in the study had inhalation exposure to 0.508 +/- 0.299 mg/m3 of FA for a period of 8 weeks (3h x 3 times each week) during anatomy classes. As for composition of lymphocyte subsets after FA exposure, significant increase was found in the percentage of CD19 (B cells), while significant decrease was observed in CD3 (total T cells), CD4 (T helper-inducer cells), and CD8 (T cytotoxic-suppressor cells) with a P < 0.01. Increase in the ratio of T-helper-inducer cells to T-cytotoxic-suppressor cells (T4/T8) was also observed with statistical significance after exposure (P < 0.001). In the meanwhile, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was reported between lymphocyte proliferation rate and sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) at the exposure level and duration. It is suggested that the lymphocyte subsets may be most susceptible to the effects of FA, though a single immunological endpoint is rarely related with pathophysiological interpretation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: X L
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D005557:Formaldehyde