Myelin protein zero and its antibody in serum as biomarkers of n-hexane-induced peripheral neuropathy and neurotoxicity effects.
BACKGROUND
Chronic exposure to n-hexane can lead to peripheral neuropathy that no effective treatment regimen could be applied presently. This study investigated whether myelin protein zero (P0) protein and its antibody could be used to distinguish n-hexane intoxication and protect workers from peripheral neuropathy.


METHODS
We compared P0 protein and its antibody among three levels of n-hexane-exposed groups, which included 18 patients with n-hexane-induced peripheral neuropathy as case group, 120 n-hexane-exposed workers as n-hexaneexposed control group, and 147 non-hexane-exposed participants used as control group. ELISA method was applied to detect P0 protein and its antibody.


RESULTS
P0 protein in serum was significantly higher in the case group and n-hexane-exposed control group in comparison with the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the n-hexane-exposed control group, the case group also had significant increase of P0 protein (P < 0.01). After 6 months therapy, P0 protein was observed to decrease significantly in the case group (P < 0.01). The P0 antibody in serum was significantly higher in the n-hexane-exposed control group than in the control group (P < 0.01), but not significantly different between cases and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
P0 antibodies in serum may be a short-term effect biomarker for n-hexane exposure. P0 protein in serum may be an early effective biomarker for peripheral nerve neuropathy and its biological limit value needs investigation in the future study.
Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Xiaowei
X
Jia
DSM Regulatory Affairs Department, DSM (China) Ltd., Beijing 100000, China.
Qingjun
Q
Liu
College of Public Health, Hebei United University, Tangshan, Hebei 063009, China.
Yanshu
Y
Zhang
Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Yufei
Y
Dai
Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Huawei
H
Duan
Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Ping
P
Bin
Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Yong
Y
Niu
Suzhou Fifth People's Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215007, China.
Jie
J
Liu
Xixiang Health Inspection of Bao'an Distract, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guangdong 500000, China.
Liuzhen
L
Zhong
Xixiang Health Inspection of Bao'an Distract, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guangdong 500000, China.
Jisheng
J
Guo
Xixiang Health Inspection of Bao'an Distract, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guangdong 500000, China.
Xiaofeng
X
Liu
Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health, National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China. Email: yxzheng@163bj.com.
Yuxin
Y
Zheng
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006586:Hexanes / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018993:Myelin P0 Protein / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D000906:Antibodies; D006586:Hexanes; D018993:Myelin P0 Protein; C026385:n-hexane