title: Markers of oxidative damage of nucleic acids and proteins among workers exposed to TiO2 (nano) particles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of nanotechnology is growing enormously and occupational physicians have an increasing interest in evaluating potential hazards and finding biomarkers of effect in workers exposed to nanoparticles.
  
  
  METHODS
  A study was carried out with 36 workers exposed to (nano)TiO2 pigment and 45 controls. Condensate (EBC) titanium and markers of oxidation of nucleic acids (including 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG), 5-hydroxymethyl uracil (5-OHMeU)) and proteins (such as o-tyrosine (o-Tyr), 3-chlorotyrosine (3-ClTyr) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NOTyr)) were analysed from samples of their exhaled breath.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the production workshops, the median total mass 2012 and 2013 TiO2 concentrations were 0.65 and 0.40 mg/m(3), respectively. The median numbers of concentrations measured by the scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) were 1.98 × 10(4) and 2.32 × 10(4) particles/cm(3), respectively; and about 80% of those particles were smaller than 100 nm in diameter. In the research workspace, lower aerosol concentrations (0.16 mg/m(3) and 1.32 × 10(4) particles/cm(3)) were found. Titanium in the EBC was significantly higher in production workers (p<0.001) than in research workers and unexposed controls. Accordingly, most EBC oxidative stress markers, including in the preshift samples, were higher in production workers than in the two other groups. Multiple regression analysis confirmed an association between the production of TiO2 and the levels of studied biomarkers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The concentration of titanium in EBC may serve as a direct exposure marker in workers producing TiO2 pigment; the markers of oxidative stress reflect the local biological effect of (nano)TiO2 in the respiratory tract of the exposed workers.
authors.affiliation: First Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pelclova
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the AS CR, vvi, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zdimal
authors.affiliation: First Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fenclova
authors.affiliation: First Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vlckova
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Centre "G Scansetti" for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates and NIS Interdepartmental Centre for Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turci
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Centre "G Scansetti" for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates and NIS Interdepartmental Centre for Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Corazzari
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kacer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the AS CR, vvi, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zikova
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the AS CR, vvi, Prague, Czech Republic Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the AS CR, vvi, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Makes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Syslova
authors.affiliation: First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Institute of Biophysics and Informatics, Prague, Czech Republic Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Department of Kinanthropology and Humanities, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Komarc
authors.affiliation: First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Institute of Biophysics and Informatics, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Belacek
authors.affiliation: J Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the AS CR, vvi, Prague, Czech Republic First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Navratil
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Work, Department of Public Health, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Machajova
authors.affiliation: First Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zakharov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001944:Breath Tests; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014025:Titanium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014937:Work; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011506:Proteins; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium