title: Increased oxidative stress in subjects exposed to carbon disulfide (CS2)--an occupational coronary risk factor.
abstract: There is considerable epidemiological evidence that workers exposed to carbon disulfide (CS2) develop premature atherosclerosis leading to increased rates of coronary heart disease (CHD), but mechanisms underlying this association remain obscure. The present study documents that occupational exposure to CS2 modifies the oxidative status of plasma, which is a major determinant of the susceptibility to atherosclerosis. Concentrations of thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), which reflect lipid peroxidation processes in plasma, were determined in 29 men who were exposed to CS2 for more than 20 years, in 24 patients with peripheral atherosclerosis, and in 30 unexposed, healthy control subjects. TBARS concentrations were significantly increased both in CS2-exposed subjects and in patients with peripheral atherosclerosis. Subjects in both groups presented also with decreased levels of plasma alpha-tocopherol, a major plasma antioxidant. In addition, decreased activities of two enzymatic antioxidants, glutathion peroxidase and catalase, were noted both in CS2-exposed subjects and patients with peripheral atherosclerosis. Finally, LDL isolated from both groups showed increased susceptibility to transition metal-induced oxidation in vitro. It is concluded, that occupational exposure to CS2 produces oxidative stress in plasma. This may favor the development of atherosclerosis and increase the incidence of CHD in workers exposed to CS2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Teresy Str.8, POBox 199, 90-950 Lodz, Poland. tewono@imp.lodz.pl
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wronska-Nofer
authors.forename: Julita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chojnowska-Jezierska
authors.forename: Jerzy-Roch
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Nofer
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Halatek
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wisniewska-Knypl
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002246:Carbon Disulfide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol
chemical_list: D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D002246:Carbon Disulfide