Serum Levels of Copper, Ceruloplasmin and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme among Silicotic and Non-Silicotic Workers.
BACKGROUND
Silicosis is the most frequently occurring pneumoconiosis.


OBJECTIVE
Measurement of serum levels of Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), Copper (Cu) and Ceruloplasmin (Cp) in cement workers occupationally exposed to silica dust as biomarkers of exposure rather than biomarkers of effect for silicosis.


METHODS
Plain chest X-ray & pulmonary functions were done for 30 silicotic and 42 non-silicotic workers and 42 controls. CT scan was done for the exposed groups. Serum levels of Cu, Cp and ACE were estimated.


RESULTS
The results showed a higher significant difference between the exposed groups and controls, and between the two exposed groups regarding the mean levels of all measured biochemical parameters. The pulmonary functions were significantly lower among silicotic workers than controls and non-silicotic groups. There was a significant positive correlation between duration of employment and serum ACE and Cu.


CONCLUSIONS
Since respirable dust exposure-linked lung fibrosis disease is non-curable, the biochemical parameters (Cu, ACE and Cp) can be used as exposure biomarkers to silica dust, providing a better way for early diagnosis of this deadly disease. Down regulating the inflammatory responses could potentially reduce the adverse clinical pulmonary effects of air pollution.
National Research Centre, Environmental and Occupational Medicine Department, Cairo, Egypt.
Safia
S
Beshir
National Research Centre, Environmental and Occupational Medicine Department, Cairo, Egypt.
Hisham
H
Aziz
National Research Centre, Environmental and Occupational Medicine Department, Cairo, Egypt.
Weam
W
Shaheen
National Research Centre, Environmental and Occupational Medicine Department, Cairo, Egypt.
Eman
E
Eltahlawy
ACE; Serum copper; ceruloplasmin; silicosis