CYP2E1 mRNA expression, genetic polymorphisms in peripheral blood lymphocytes and liver abnormalities in Chinese VCM-exposed workers.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between expression of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) in human lymphocytes, variant CYP2E1 genotype, exposure to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and liver abnormalities in VCM-exposed workers.


METHODS
A case-control study was performed on 90 male occupationally exposed workers and 42 matched male nonexposed controls. Data were collected based on health surveillance, workplace investigation and questionnaire Survey. Total RNA and DNA were isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes, and CYP2E1 mRNA expression was determined using RT-PCR, and the presence of CYP2E1 polymorphisms was identified based on PCR-RFLP.


RESULTS
The mRNA expression of CYP2E1 in exposed workers (0.89+/-0.46) was significantly higher than in nonexposed controls (0.61+/-0.35) (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant association between CYP2E1 mRNA expression levels and liver abnormalities in the VCM-exposed workers (OR = 3.66, P < 0.05). The genotype frequency for CYP2E1 variants among VCM-exposed workers was not significantly different between workers with liver abnormalities and those without.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver abnormalities in subjects exposed to VCM are positively associated with expression of peripheral blood lymphocyte mRNA, which is significantly increased in exposed workers compared to nonexposed controls. Therefore, CYP2E1 mRNA levels may be useful for health surveillance and protection of VCM-exposed workers.
Wang
Ai-Hong
AH
School of Public Health, Department of Occupational Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Zhu
Shou-Min
SM
Qiu
Yu-Lan
YL
Zhu
Ren
R
Qu
Ya-Bin
YB
Li
Yong-Liang
YL
Brandt-Rauf
Paul W
PW
Xia
Zhao-Lin
ZL
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D002681:China; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D014752:Vinyl Chloride / Q000506:poisoning*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1; D014752:Vinyl Chloride