[The level of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor in patients with medicament-like dermatitis by trichloroethylene and its clinical significance].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in patients with medicament-like dermatitis by trichloroethylene (DMLT).


METHODS
Using radioimmunoassay methods, serum TNF-alpha, EGF were measured in 39 patients with DMLT and in 20 controls.


RESULTS
The levels of serum TNF-alpha, EGF in patients with DMLT [(0.278 +/- 0.092) ng/L, (6.71 +/- 2.28) microg/L, respectively] were significantly higher than those of the controls [(0.128 +/- 0.029) ng/L, (4.31 +/- 1.13) microg/L respectively, P<0.05, P<0.01].


CONCLUSIONS
The increased levels of serum TNF-alpha, EGF in patients with DMLT may be related to the following causes: (1) Trichloroethylene and its metabolite may irritate the macrophagocyte and monocyte in human body to release TNF-alpha into blood stream; (2) Severe damage of epithelial tissue in patients with DMLT may promote more EGF synthesis to accelerate the regeneration and repair of epithelial tissue.
Li
Sen-hua
SH
Guangdong Province Hospital of Occupational Diseases Treatment, Guangzhou 510300, China.
Zeng
Ze-ming
ZM
Lai
Guan-chao
GC
Li
Lai-yu
LY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000097:blood*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000097:blood*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000633:toxicity*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014241:Trichloroethylene; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors