Concentration of hydroxyproline in blood: a biological marker in occupational exposure to asbestos and its relationship with Pi*Z and Pi*S polymorphism in the alpha-1 antitrypsin gene.
BACKGROUND
Hydroxyproline (OHP) is one of the most abundant amino acids in collagen and, in general, it provides a good measure of overall collagen catabolism.


METHODS
Asbestos workers suffering from asbestosis (cases n = 85); asbestos exposed workers without asbestosis (exposed controls, EC, n = 86), and non-exposed population (non-exposed controls, NEC, n = 122) were studied. The concentration of free OHP in whole blood was measured following the Pico-Tag procedure.


RESULTS
Concentration of OHP in blood was significantly different in the three groups studied (P < 0.001), being higher in cases (19.8 +/- 14.7 micromol/L) than in EC (16 +/- 12.4) and NEC (13.5 +/- 6.7). When all individuals were grouped and stratified by the Pi*S and Pi*Z polymorphisms in the alpha-1-antitrypsin gene, the highest OHP levels were detected in the Pi*S homozygotes, one of the asbestosis-at risk-genotypes (Pi*S homozygotes, x = 24.5 +/- 11.7; Pi*S heterozygotes, x = 16.6 +/- 10.0; wild type, wt, x = 15.9 +/- 11.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Blood OHP concentration could be used for monitoring human exposure to asbestos, either as a marker for occupational monitoring or as an additional clinical parameter in diagnostic exploration of asbestosis.
Mas
S
S
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Casterad
X
X
Laso
N
N
Lafuente
M J
MJ
Panades
R
R
Calleja
A
A
Hernandez
S
S
Turuguet
D
D
Deulofeu
R
R
Ballesta
A
A
Ascaso
C
C
Lafuente
A
A
D000483:Alleles; D001194:Asbestos / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000235:genetics*; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / Q000235:genetics*
D015415:Biomarkers; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D001194:Asbestos; D006909:Hydroxyproline