Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in relation to immunological alteration.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the association between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and immunological measurements using blood samples from coke oven workers exposed to high and low PAH levels.


METHODS
A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 2008-2009 with coke oven workers and steel-rolling workers as the exposed and control groups, respectively. Questionnaires on basic demographic information were administered. Personal breathing zone and urine samples were collected to quantify personal PAH intake and biological response doses. Immunological and cytokine parameters in serum were analysed. Urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were analysed to determine oxidative stress induced by PAHs in relation to altered humoural immunological status.


RESULTS
Mean levels of serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and TNF-α were significantly increased in coke oven workers compared to steel-rolling workers who had no or minimal PAH exposure (p=0.0033 and p<0.0001, respectively). There were no significant differences in mean levels of IL-4 and IL-10 between coke oven workers and steel-rolling workers. Moderate activation of lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage as determined by plasma MDA and 8-OHdG levels were detected simultaneously with significant alterations in IgA and IgE levels. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that PAHs with high molecular weights >252 (dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene and/or indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene) correlated with IgA and IgE levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that coke oven workers with chronic exposure to PAHs may develop immunological alteration. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation induced by PAHs may partly explain the alteration in immunological parameters.
School of Community andEnvironmental Health, College ofHealth Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA.
Hueiwang Anna
HA
Jeng
Chih-Hong
CH
Pan
Norou
N
Diawara
Guo-Ping
GP
Chang-Chien
Wen-Yi
WY
Lin
Chia-Tsuan
CT
Huang
Chi-Kung
CK
Ho
Ming-Tsang
MT
Wu
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003077:Coke / Q000633:toxicity*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D013232:Steel; D013624:Taiwan; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D003077:Coke; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013232:Steel; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D003849:Deoxyguanosine