title: Unexpected smoking-linked high MMP-9 in induced sputum of hazardous dust-exposed workers.
abstract: We investigated whether metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) values in induced sputum (IS) and pulmonary function tests can serve as a marker of damage and intensity of exposure to hazardous dust. Thirty-nine factory employees (28 workers exposed to metal particles and 11 supposedly nonexposed office workers) underwent IS induction. Samples were processed by conventional methods within 2 hours. The proportion of particles with diameters of 0-2 mu in IS samples was significantly higher in nonexposed than exposed workers and in smoker compared to nonsmoker workers. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were similar for both groups. A linear regression model for MMP-9 based on exposure, smoking habits, and proportion of particles < 5 mu revealed a positive correlation between each of the explanatory variables and MMP-9 values. MMP-9 may serve as a marker for pulmonary injury.
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Health Center, Clalit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lerman
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moscovich
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fireman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D004391:Dust; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010316:Particle Size; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013183:Sputum / Q000201:enzymology*; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004391:Dust; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9