Biomarkers for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and serum liver enzymes.
BACKGROUND
Limited evidence suggests that human liver toxicity is associated with exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).


METHODS
The association of urinary PAH metabolites with serum liver enzymes was tested among 288 workers at a petrochemical plant, using a general linear model (GLM) and multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
Urine 2-naphthol levels were positively correlated with serum AST after adjustment for covariates in GLM. Comparing third tertile versus first tertile of 2-naphthol levels, the odds ratios (OR) were elevated for abnormal serum AST levels [OR = 4.1 (95%CI 1.6-10.2)] and abnormal serum ALT levels [OR = 2.4 (95%CI 1.2-4.9)].


CONCLUSIONS
Although confounding by alcohol intake was not completely ruled out, our findings demonstrate an association between PAHs exposure and elevation in serum liver enzymes. Urinary 2-naphthol is a biomarker of exposure to PAHs that is associated with liver toxicity.
Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju-si, South Korea.
Young-Sun
YS
Min
Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju-si, South Korea.
Hyun-Sul
HS
Lim
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju-si, South Korea.
Heon
H
Kim
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D002617:Chemical Industry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009284:Naphthols / Q000652:urine*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D009284:Naphthols; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; C028405:2-naphthol
2-naphthol; PAHs; biomarker; liver; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; toxicity