The bronchoalveolar epithelial permeability in house painters as determined by Tc-99m DTPA aerosol scintigraphy.
OBJECTIVE
Isocyanates are highly reactive chemicals used in a number of industries including paints. Therefore, house painters are known to be at risk for occupational exposure to isocyanates. Our objectives in this study were: (1) to investigate the possible effects of isocyanate exposition on the bronchoalveolar epithelial permeability in house painters by using Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol lung scintigraphy; (2) to assess whether or not some differences exist between asthmatic and non-asthmatic house painters, and (3) to determine the relationship between Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol lung scintigraphy and the spirometric measurements, and the work duration of house painters.


METHODS
Ten non-smoking house painters (28.8 +/- 8.8 yrs) and ten healthy volunteers underwent Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol lung scintigraphy. Following inhalation of radiotracer through a nebulizer for 5 minutes, dynamic scintigrams (1 frame/min, up to 10 min) were taken from both lungs. ROI's were drawn over the both lung area, and time-activity curves were obtained, from which the half-time (T1/2) of Tc-99m DTPA clearance was calculated. Spirometric lung function test was measured in all house painters.


RESULTS
Mean T1/2 values (min +/- SD) were 93.74 +/- 32.79 for house painters, and 90.96 +/- 40.02 for control subjects. There was no significant difference in T1/2 values of Tc-99m DTPA clearance between house painters and controls, and between asthmatic and non-asthmatic house painters as well. No correlation was observed between T1/2 values of Tc-99m DTPA clearance and spirometric measurements. In house painters, there was a positive correlation between T1/2 values of Tc-99m DTPA clearance and work duration (r = 0.73, p = 0.016).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that in house painters, occupational exposure to isocyanates has no effect on bronchoalveolar epithelial permeability, and the rate of Tc-99m DTPA clearance shows no difference between asthmatic and non-asthmatic house painters. The positive correlation between the rate of Tc-99m DTPA clearance and work duration needs to be confirmed in larger cohorts.
Kaya
Meryem
M
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Trakya University School of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey. meryemk@trakya.edu.tr
Salan
Ahmet
A
Tabakoğlu
Erhan
E
Aydoğdu
Nurettin
N
Berkarda
Sakir
S
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D001249:Asthma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000633:toxicity; D003947:Diagnostic Techniques, Radioisotope; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010150:Paint / Q000506:poisoning*; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D000336:Aerosols; D017953:Isocyanates; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate