title: Neurobehavioral functions, serum prolactin and plasma renin activity of manganese-exposed workers.
abstract: Objective of this study was to assess effects of manganese (Mn) exposure on 56 workers employed in a Mn welding workshop of a machine building factory in Taiyuan (Shanxi Province, P.R. China) for a mean period of 16.1 years. The mean air Mn level in the workshop was 138.4 microg/m3. Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB), including the Profile fo Mood States, (POMS), was performed. Blood pressure (BP) increase following immediate stand-up (BP-IS), serum prolactin (PRL) and plasma renin activity (PRA) in supine position were also determine. Most of the NCTB scores of the Mn-exposed workers were lower than those of controls, while the POMS scores were higher, indicating a Mn-induced impairment of neurophysiological functions and a deflection of mood towards negative emotion states. PRL values of the Mn-exposed workers were higher than those of the controls. BP-IS of Mn-exposed workers was significantly lower than that of the controls. PRA of the same workers was augmented more that 200%. In the Mn-exposed workers, the higher PRL values are possibly due to a reduced inhibitory effect on pituitary lactotrope cells by the tubero-infundibular dopamine system; the decreased BP-IS was referred to imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, whereas the higher basal PRA was thought to depend on neuroendocrine changes (including increased central sympathetic tone) and/or on a direct effect of Mn on renal juxta-glomerular cells. On the whole, this study demonstrates that occupational Mn exposure is responsible for neurobehavioral changes coexisting with alterations of neuroendocrine and humoral systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiwan, (PR China).
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shuchang
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Gioacchino
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Verna
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Volpe
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Giampaolo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carmignani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boscolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D008345:Manganese; D011388:Prolactin; D012083:Renin