Pneumoproteins and markers of inflammation and platelet activation in the blood of grain dust exposed workers

• Purpose: To investigate if blood biomarkers could indicate early signs of lung damage or cardiovascular risk due to exposure to grain dust. Materials and methods: Pneumoproteins and markers of inflammation and platelet activation were analysed in blood samples of 102 grain elevator and compound feed mill workers. Differences between exposed (n = 67) and controls (n = 35), and associations with exposure measurements and respiratory health were investigated by multiple linear regression analyses. Results: Concentrations of CC-16 and IL-6 were higher in exposed workers compared with controls (p < 0.001 for both), whereas fibrinogen was lower (p = 0.005). Concentrations of CRP, TNF-alpha, sCD40L and sP-selectin were similar in both groups. Serum CC-16 was significantly higher in workers with farm childhood, regardless of exposure. The impact of farm childhood on CC-16 interacted with smoking. None of the biomarkers were associated with exposure measurements or any of the tested respiratory health parameters. Conclusion: Dust exposure induced inflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions, but did not induce systemic inflammation and had no effect on platelet activation. No cause-effect relationship could be established in spite of relatively high exposure levels, particularly to endotoxin. Whether increased serum CC-16 is an early sign of lung damage or a reversible defense reaction remains unclear.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Annan klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Other Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Club cell protein 16

SP-D

bioaerosol exposure

grain elevator workers

compound feed mill workers

clara cell protein

soluble cd40 ligand

norwegian grain

p-selectin

particulate matter

lung-function

serum

cc16

risk

metabolites

Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Toxicology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)