Biomarkers of iron status and trace elements in welders.
Iron status was studied in 137 welders exposed to a geometric mean (GM) air concentration of 214 μg/m(3) (range 1-3230) of manganese (Mn), in 137 referents and in 34 former welders. The GM concentrations of S-ferritin were 119 (3-1498), 112 (9-1277) and 98 (12-989) μg/L (p=0.24) in the three groups, respectively. Also the GM concentrations of S-hepcidin were not significantly different between the groups (8.4 μg/L (2.8-117); 6.6 μg/L (1.8-100); 6.5 μg/L (1.2-22)) (p=0.22). Multiple linear regression analysis including all welders and referents showed an increase in the concentration of S-ferritin associated with having serum carbohydrate deficient transferrin (S-CDT) above the upper reference limit of ≥1.7%, indicating high alcohol consumption. Serum C-reactive protein was not associated with exposure as welders, but an association with S-ferritin was shown. The GM S-ferritin concentrations among all welders and referents with S-CDT≥1.7% were 157 μg/L (95% CI 113-218) as compared to 104 μg/L (95% CI 94-116) (p=0.02) in those with S-CDT<1.7%. The GM concentrations of Mn in biological fluids were higher in the welders as compared to the referents, while S-Fe, S-Co and B-Co were statistically significantly lower. This could suggest a competitive inhibition from Mn on the uptake of Fe and Co. Increasing concentrations of S-CDT was associated with higher S-Mn, S-Fe and B-Co in the multiple linear regression analysis. The association between S-CDT and S-Fe remained when all subjects with high S-CDT (≥1.7%) were excluded, suggesting increased uptake of Fe even at lower alcohol consumption.
National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 8149 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: dag.ellingsen@stami.no.
Dag G
DG
Ellingsen
Northwest Public Health Research Centre, 2-Sovetskaya 4, St. Petersburg 191036, Russia.
Maxim
M
Chashchin
National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 8149 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
Balazs
B
Berlinger
Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry of the University of Oviedo, ES-33006, Spain.
Tobias
T
Konz
Northwest Public Health Research Centre, 2-Sovetskaya 4, St. Petersburg 191036, Russia.
Evgenij
E
Zibarev
Department of Medicine, Innlandet Hospital Trust, N-2226 Kongsvinger, Norway.
Jan
J
Aaseth
Northwest Public Health Research Centre, 2-Sovetskaya 4, St. Petersburg 191036, Russia; North-Western State Medical University, St. Petersburg 191015, Russia.
Valery
V
Chashchin
National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 8149 Dep, N-0033 Oslo, Norway.
Yngvar
Y
Thomassen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D064451:Hepcidins / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*; D014896:Welding; D055815:Young Adult
D064451:Hepcidins; D014131:Trace Elements; D008345:Manganese; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron
Carbohydrate deficient transferrin; Ferritin; Hepcidin; Iron; Manganese