[Argyrophil nucleolar organizer regions as biomarker of effect for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure].
OBJECTIVE
To study whether the argyrophil nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) in T lymphocytes of peripheral blood in coke-oven workers can be used as a biomarker of effect for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure.


METHODS
Fifty-two male coke-oven workers were divided into three groups according to exposure levels of coke oven emissions: high-exposure, middle-exposure and low-exposure workers. Additionally 10 men without occupational PAH exposure were chosen as control group. Peripheral blood T lymphocytes were cultured, spread on slides and stained with silver nitrate. The ratio of AgNOR area vs. nuclear area (I/S) in T lymphocytes was analyzed. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was measured as the internal dose of PAH exposure.


RESULTS
Mean urinary 1-OHP level in high-exposure group (16.56 +/- 2.77 micromol/mol Cr) was significantly higher than those in low-exposure group (3.30 +/- 2.77 micromol/mol Cr, P < 0.001) and control group (3.04 +/- 1.58 micromol/mol Cr, P < 0.01). The mean I/S of AgNOR in T lymphocytes in high-exposure group (0.056 +/- 0.010) was significantly lower than those in middle-exposure group (0.065 +/- 0.013, P < 0.05), low-exposure group (0.067 +/- 0.008, P < 0.01) and control group (0.076 +/- 0.007, P < 0.001). It was also found that I/S of AgNOR were significantly decreased in middle-exposure group and low-exposure group in comparison with control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The occupational exposure to PAH resulted in increase of 1-OHP in urine and decrease of AgNOR in T lymphocytes. PAH exposure might lead to damage T lymphocytes function and AgNOR may be considered as a biomarker of effect for PAH exposure.
Liu
Ai-lin
AL
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Li
Song-tao
ST
Li
Fang
F
Zhong
Xiao
X
Yuan
Jing
J
Lu
Wen-qing
WQ
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D003077:Coke / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000506:poisoning*; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000032:analysis
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D015415:Biomarkers; D003077:Coke; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D011721:Pyrenes; C051963:nucleolar organizer region associated proteins; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene