Immunomodulatory effects in workers exposed to naturally occurring asbestos fibers.
Natural asbestiform fibers are defined 'naturally occurring asbestos' (NOA) and refer to the mineral as a natural component of soils or rocks. The release of NOA fibers into the air from rocks or soils by routine human activities or natural weathering processes represents a risk for human beings. Fluoro-edenite (FE) is a NOA fiber detected in the benmoreitic lava in the area of Biancavilla, South-west slope of Mt. Etna. The aim of the present study was to investigate FE immunotoxicity pathways in a group of 38 occupationally exposed construction workers, in order to find any biological markers of its effect. Subjects underwent respiratory function tests and HRCT total chest scanning. Serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were measured. The presence of PPs was significantly greater in subjects exposed than in the control (25 vs. 2). In subjects exposed to FE, IL-1β and TNF-α values were significantly higher than the controls. The previously observed increase of IL-1β and IL-18 showed a probable involvement of the proteic complex defined inflammosome by FE fibers.
Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Caterina
C
Ledda
Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Biomedical, Odontoiatric, Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Chiara
C
Costa
Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Serena
S
Matera
Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Beatrice
B
Puglisi
Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Valentina
V
Costanzo
Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
Massimo
M
Bracci
Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Biomedical, Odontoiatric, Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Concettina
C
Fenga
Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Venerando
V
Rapisarda
Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnology Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Carla
C
Loreto
D000328:Adult; D001194:Asbestos / Q000633:toxicity*; D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions
D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C492470:fluor-edenite; D001194:Asbestos