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- Jönsson, Lena S, et al.
(author)
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Influence of glutathione-related genes on symptoms and immunologic markers among vulcanization workers in the southern Sweden rubber industries.
- 2008
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In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 81:7, s. 913-919
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The aim was to elucidate the role of genetic variants on symptoms of the eyes and airways, headache and nausea, as well as on immunologic markers, among vulcanization workers in the contemporary Swedish rubber industry. Polymorphisms in genes, which are involved in the defense against reactive oxygen species and metabolism of toxic substances present in the vulcanization fumes, were analyzed. METHODS: One hundred and forty-five exposed and 117 unexposed workers were included in the study. Medical and occupational histories were obtained in structured interviews. Symptoms were recorded and immunologic markers analyzed in blood. Polymorphisms in glutathione-related genes (glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC)-129, glutamate cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM)-588, glutathione S-transferase alpha 1 (GSTA1)-52, GSTM1*O, GSTP1-105, GSTP1-114, and GSTT1*O) were analyzed by Taqman-based allelic discrimination and ordinary PCR. RESULTS: A protective effect of GSTA1-52 (G/A + A/A) genotype on symptoms and immunologic cells, in particular among exposed workers, was suggested. Exposed workers with GSTT1*O had increased risk of nosebleed compared to exposed workers with GSTT1*1. Exposed workers with GSTP1-105 (ile/val + val/val) had decreased levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) compared to exposed workers with GSTP1-105 ile/ile. GCLC-129 variant genotype demonstrated increased levels of immunologic cells among exposed workers, although statistical significance was not reached. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that hereditary factors influence the susceptibility to symptoms and the immunologic response of workers in the rubber industry.
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| 2. |
- Jönsson, Lena S, et al.
(author)
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Levels of 1-hydroxypyrene, symptoms and immunologic markers in vulcanization workers in the southern Sweden rubber industries.
- 2008
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In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 82, s. 131-137
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) levels in contemporary Swedish vulcanization workers and in controls. These levels were used as an index substance for vulcanization fumes, as well as a biomarker for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The risk of symptoms and changed levels of immunologic markers were investigated in relation to the 1-HP levels. METHODS: Included in the study were 163 exposed workers and 106 controls. Medical and occupational histories were obtained by structured interviews. Symptoms were recorded and immunologic markers analysed in blood by routine analysis methods. Levels of 1-HP were determined by liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. RESULTS: The highest levels of 1-HP were found among exposed workers using injection and compression vulcanization and lower levels were found among exposed workers vulcanizing with salt bath, hot air, microwaves or fluid-bed. Compared to controls, exposed workers had increased risks of eye symptoms, nosebleeds, burning and dry throat, hoarseness, severe dry cough, nausea and headache. Furthermore, exposed workers had elevated levels of neutrophils and total IgG (immunoglobulin subclass G). However, only for severe dry cough an evident exposure-response relationship with urinary 1-HP levels was found. CONCLUSIONS: This work clearly shows increased levels of urinary 1-HP in Swedish vulcanization workers. Furthermore, it demonstrates an increased risk of several symptoms and elevated levels of some immunologic markers in these workers. However, no obvious exposure-response relationships were found.
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| 3. |
- Jönsson, Lena S, et al.
(author)
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Levels of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) and effect modification of polymorphisms of glutathione-related genes in vulcanization workers in the southern Sweden rubber industries.
- 2007
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In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 80:7, s. 589-598
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives Workers in the rubber industry are exposed to a complex mixture of hazardous substances and have increased risk of developing several diseases. However, there is no up to date survey examining the exposure in the Swedish rubber industry. One of the toxic compounds in the industry is carbon disulfide (CS2), which is biotransformed to 2-thiothiazolidine- 4carboxylic acid (TTCA). TTCA is used as a biomarker of CS2 exposure, but there seem to exist inter- and intraindividual variability; which could partly be due to genetic variation. The aim of the study was to determine TTCA levels and the modifying effects of glutathione-related genes in a group of Swedish rubber workers. Methods Urine was collected from both exposed workers and controls during the last 4 h of the work shift. The level of TTCA in urine was analyzed by liquid chromatograpy tandem mass spectrometry. Genotyping of the single nucleotide polymorphisms GCLC-129, GCLM-588, GSTA1-52, GSTP1-105 and GSTP1-114 and deletions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were performed with real-time PCR or ordinary PCR and subsequent agarose electrophoresis. Results The highest levels of TTCA were found among workers curing with salt bath, hot air, microwaves or Xuid-bed, and lower levels were found among workers curing with injection and compression molding. Furthermore, with respect to GSTM1 and GSTT1 there were statistically significant differences in TTCA-levels between genotypes among exposed workers but not among controls. The other five polymorphisms had no impact on the TTCA levels. Conclusions The present study demonstrates relatively high levels of TTCA in urine from Swedish rubber workers. Polymorphisms in GSTM1 and GSTT1 modify the levels.
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| 4. |
- Littorin, Margareta, et al.
(author)
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Exposure and nasal inflammation in workers heating polyurethane.
- 2002
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In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 75:7, s. 468-474
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AbstractOBJECTIVE. To test the hypothesis that exposure to thermal-degradation products of polyurethane (PUR), particularly isocyanates, induced nasal inflammation.METHODS. Thirty-eight workers -14 with a history of work-related nasal symptoms (WRS/Nose), and 15 referents without such history - exposed to sprayed and heated PUR glue, were studied with regard to biomarkers of isocyanate exposure [4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate; MDI) and 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), determined as 4,4'-diphenylmethane (U-MDX) and 2,4- and 2,6-toluene (U-2,4 and U-2,6-TDX) diamine in hydrolysed urine and nasal lavage fluid (NAL)], inflammation [albumin; eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP); myeloperoxidase (MPO) and cells in NAL], serum IgG specific for MDI (S-IgG-MDI) and TDI (S-IgG-TDI), and nose symptoms. Nine unexposed office workers were also examined.RESULTS. The exposure to sprayed and heated PUR glue, especially when heated by gun, was associated with the presence of biomarkers of isocyanate exposure in urine; after work the levels [median (range)] in all workers were: U-MDX 0.32 (
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| 5. |
- Littorin, Margareta, et al.
(author)
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Influence of polymorphic metabolic enzymes on biotransformation and effects of diphenylmethane diisocyanate.
- 2008
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In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131. ; 81:4, s. 429-441
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives To identify effect modification produced by genetic traits found in metabolic enzymes, to investigate how these affect the levels of different biomarkers of sprayed and thermo-degraded polyurethane (PUR) based on 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and to determine how associated respiratory disorders are affected. Methods Two partly overlapping groups of 141 and 158 factory employees exposed to sprayed or heated MDI-PUR glue were examined in years 0 and 2, respectively, for occurrence of polymorphisms in five genes (N-acetyltransferase NAT2 and the glutathione S-transferases GSTM1, GSTM3, GSTP1 [codon 105 and 114] and GSTT1) on the basis of the polymerase chain reaction, exposure biomarkers in plasma and urine (P- and U-MDX), by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, specific serum IgG antibodies against MDI (S-IgG-MDI) by means of ELISA, total S-IgE, symptoms in the eyes, nose and lower airways as assessed by questionnaire and interview, and lung function as measured by spirometry. Results Both the GSTP1 105 isoleucine/isoleucine and GSTP1 114 alanine/alanine genotypes showed higher levels of U-MDX than the other genotypes and the GSTP1 114 genotype modified the P-MDX/U-MDX relationship. GSTP1 105 isoleucine/isoleucine was found to be associated with lower levels of S-IgG-MDI and fewer eye symptoms, but with an increased risk of symptoms in the airways, as well as with atopy. Presence of the GSTT1 gene resulted in somewhat lower lung function levels than did the null genotype. A slow NAT2 acetylating capacity was associated with lower P- and U-MDX and S-IgG-MDI levels, and better lung function, but a higher risk of eye and airway symptoms. Analysing the effects of combinations of the different genes provided no further information. Conclusions Although our study has clear limitations, it reveals various effect modifications produced by the GST and NAT2 genotypes. Gene-environment interactions are highly complex. Further research is needed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of them.
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