[Changes of NO2-/NO3- and nitration tyrosine concentrations in induced sputum of silicosis patients].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the change in nitration tyrosine, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level in induced sputum of silicosis patients and dust exposure workers and to evaluate the approach and feasibility of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites as early detection indicators of silicosis.


METHODS
Nitration tyrosine, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)concentration in induced sputum of 80 dust exposure workers, 84 silicosis patients, 30 logistic personnel with no history of exposure to silica dust were determined and the relationship among Nitration tyrosine, NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level and dust exposure years as well as pulmonary function tests were analyzed.


RESULTS
NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level among exposed group [60.30 (46.58) micromol/l] was significantly higher than the control group [36.90 (22.28) micromol/l], (P < 0.05), and the level of NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)among the cases [79.65 (89.10) micromol/l] was significantly higher than exposed group as well as the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with control, the level of nitration tyrosine in exposed group [3.51 (0.46) nmol/l] and the cases [3.48 (0.49) nmol/l] was significantly higher (P < 0.05). NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level and dust exposure years were positively correlated (r = 0.3733 and 0.3830 respectively P < 0.05); NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level and pulmonary function tests (FVC%, FEV1.0%, PEF%, MEF25%, MEF50%) were negatively correlated (r = 0.1540, 0.1723, 0.1535, 0.1485, 0.1643 respectively, P < 0.05). There was no correlation between nitration tyrosine and dust exposure years (P > 0.05), no correlation between nitration tyrosine and pulmonary function test (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The level of NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)level in induced sputum has a positive correlation with exposure to dust, suggesting that there will be a certain feasibility of the NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)as indicators of early detection of silicosis.
Wang
Kun
K
Shandong Academy of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Jinan 250062, China.
Wang
Rui
R
Liu
Zheng-liang
ZL
Men
Jin-long
JL
Wan
En-guang
EG
Kong
Ling-min
LM
Wang
Jin-peng
JP
Shen
Chao
C
Li
Yang
Y
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D012829:Silicosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013183:Sputum / Q000378:metabolism*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000378:metabolism
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D014443:Tyrosine