title: Immune markers and ornithine decarboxylase activity among electric utility workers.
abstract: The effects of a 60-Hz magnetic field (MF) exposure on white blood cell ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, natural killer (NK) cell activity, lymphocyte phenotypes, and differential cell counts were studied among 60 electric utility workers. Personal MF exposure monitoring over 3 consecutive workdays was followed by collection of a peripheral blood sample. There were no MF-related changes in NK activity or the number of circulating neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, or T-lymphocytes (CD4, CD8, CD4:CD8 ratio). MF exposure intensity was associated with decreased ODC activity (P<0.01) and lower NK cell counts (P=0.04). Melatonin production, which stimulates the immune system, was quantified on the night preceding immune marker determinations. Exposure-related reductions in ODC activity, NK and B cells, and monocytes were strongest among workers with reduced melatonin production. The biological significance or long-term health consequences associated with these changes are not known.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Travers Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Ichinose
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Burch
authors.forename: Curtis W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Noonan
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Yost
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Keefe
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bachand
authors.forename: Rosemonde
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mandeville
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Reif
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D003120:Colorado; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase; D008550:Melatonin