title: Serum beta-glucuronidase activity in a population of ex-coalminers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether BGD activity is of additional value in the assessment of pulmonary inflammation caused by coal dust exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ex-coalminers were included in this study. Forty-eight healthy male subjects, without a relevant medical history, were used as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In ex-coalminers serum BGD activity was higher compared to the control group. Moreover, ex-coalminers with a normal chest radiograph and normal serum LDH demonstrated elevated serum BGD compared to the control group. However, no relation was found in the total group of ex-coalminers between serum BGD activity and pulmonary function parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study adds in vivo human evidence to the already existing animal data that BGD is a potential biomarker useful in monitoring pulmonary inflammation caused by coal dust exposure.
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: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Vries
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Van Dieijen-Visser
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Henderson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003031:Coal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003032:Coal Mining; D004391:Dust; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012016:Reference Values; D012907:Smoking; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003031:Coal; D004391:Dust; D005966:Glucuronidase