title: Matrix metalloproteinases, IL-8 and glutathione in the prognosis of workers exposed to chlorine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Workers exposed to chlorine may be at risk of deterioration in FEV1.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study of 72 workers examined over a 5.8 +/- 1.9 year period. A sample of induced sputum for cells and mediators was obtained in 69 subjects at baseline (Vb) and in 36 both at Vb and at follow-up (Vf).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-four workers (89%) experienced at least one accidental inhalation of chlorine in the interval. The mean decrease in FEV1 was 30 ml/year and thus was within normal limits. Among the analysed remodelling markers, the level of the MMP-9-TIMP-1 complex, but not of free MMP-9 and TIMP-1, significantly diminished from Vb to Vf. We found significant correlations between neutrophils, IL-8, MMP-9 and MMP9-TIMP-1 complex at Vb and Vf. While levels of total glutathione, IL-8, MMP9, TIMP-1 and MMP9-TIMP-1 complex were highly correlated with each other at Vb, this was inconstant at Vf. Levels of MMP9-TIMP1 complex and of TIMP1 at Vf were significantly lower in workers reporting chlorine puffs with mild acute respiratory symptoms between visits compared to those who had no, or asymptomatic inhalations (P = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). The fall in FEV1 from Vb to Vf was significantly correlated with levels of glutathione at Vb. Cough between visits was associated with a decrease in FEV1 (P = 0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although no accelerated loss in FEV1 was documented in these workers exposed to chlorine, subjects with a greater fall in FEV1 were more likely to report cough and have higher levels of total glutathione at Vb.
authors.affiliation: Axe de recherche en santé respiratoire, Department of ChestMedicine, Sacré-Coeur Hospital, 5400 West Gouin Blvd., Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maghni
authors.forename: J-L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Malo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: L'Archevêque
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castellanos
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gautrin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002713:Chlorine / Q000633:toxicity*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000032:analysis; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016209:Interleukin-8; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D002713:Chlorine; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D005978:Glutathione