Biochemical effects of vinyl chloride monomer on the liver of occupationally exposed workers.
We investigated the effects of vinyl chloride monomer exposure on the liver of 86 workers by measuring beta-glucuronidase, arylsulfatase A, adenosine deaminase, 5'-nucleotidase and routine liver function enzymes in the sera of the workers. In 21 of them, three or more of these parameters were raised, with a significant decrease in the level of blood glutathione and a significant increase in the enzyme activity level of glutathione S-transferase. Of these 21 workers, 14 had fatty liver infiltration, 8 of whom were also suffering from liver enlargement. Also, 4 workers had liver enlargement without fatty infiltration and 3 had enlarged spleens. The study highlights the need for vigilance in environmental monitoring and medical surveillance of workers exposed to this chemical.
Department of Applied Medical Chemistry, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
A A
AA
Saad
S M
SM
el-Sewedy
G A
GA
Bader
S M
SM
Mousa
M M
MM
Mahdy
D015720:5'-Nucleotidase / Q000097:blood; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D002273:Carcinogens; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002553:Cerebroside-Sulfatase / Q000097:blood; D004534:Egypt; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000097:blood; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016272:Occupational Health; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014752:Vinyl Chloride / Q000506:poisoning*
D002273:Carcinogens; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D015720:5'-Nucleotidase; D002553:Cerebroside-Sulfatase; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase; D014752:Vinyl Chloride