Evaluation in vinyl chloride monomer-exposed workers and the relationship between liver lesions and gene polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze occupational health hazards exposure to doses lower than the Chinese occupational health standard in a selected VC polymerization plant in China, and also to elucidate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility on liver lesions of workers exposed to vinyl chloride monomer(VCM).


METHODS
In order to explore the mechanism of VCM-related health effects, we used a case-control design to investigate the association between the genetic polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes and liver lesions in workers occupationally exposed to VCM. Genotypes of CYP2E1, GSTT1, GSTM1, ALDH2 and ADH2 were identified using PCR and PCR-RFLP.


RESULTS
Even when the concentration of VCM was lower than the current Chinese occupational health standard, neurasthenia, pharyngeal irritation, liver ultrasonography abnormalities and hemoglobin disorders were significantly higher in exposure subjects compared to non-exposure subjects, and the relative risks (RR and 95% CI) were 1.74 (1.06-2.85), 1.97 (1.56-2.48), 10.69 (4.38-26.12), and 2.07 (1.20-3.57). CYP2E1 c1c2/c2c2 genotype was significantly associated with liver damages (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.51-7.20, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidences of neurasthenia and liver ultrasonography abnormalities significantly increase when the cumulative exposure dose increases. The genotypes of metabolic enzymes (CYP2E1 c1c2/c2c2, null GSTT1 and ADH2 1-1) play important roles in VCM metabolism. Polymorphisms of CYP 2E1, GSTT1 and ADH2 may be a major reason of genetic susceptibility in VCM-induced hepatic damage.
Zhu
Shou-Min
SM
School of Public Health, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai, 20002, China.
Ren
Xue-Feng
XF
Wan
Jun-Xiang
JX
Xia
Zhao-Lin
ZL
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002617:Chemical Industry; D002681:China; D004798:Enzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014752:Vinyl Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*
D004798:Enzymes; D014752:Vinyl Chloride