Serum beta-glucuronidase activity in a population of ex-coalminers.
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.
Cobben
N A
NA
Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Drent
M
M
De Vries
J
J
Wouters
E F
EF
Van Dieijen-Visser
M P
MP
Henderson
R F
RF
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
D015415:Biomarkers; D003031:Coal; D004391:Dust; D005966:Glucuronidase