Alterations of serum biomarkers associated with lung ventilation function impairment in coal Workers: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated that alterations in certain circulating biomarkers may be correlated with Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). This study investigated the relationship between changes of serum biomarkers and pulmonary function during the development of CWP.MethodsLung function parameters and specific serum indices were measured in 69 non-smoking coal workers, including 34 miners with CWP, 24 asymptomatic miners and 11 miners with minimal symptoms. The associations between changes in pulmonary function and serum indices were tested with Pearson's correlation coefficients. Multivariable analysis was used to estimate the predictive power of potential determinant variables for lung function.ResultsCompared to healthy miners, lung function (FVC, FEV1, FEF50, FEF75, FEF25-75 % of predicted values) was decreased in miners with CWP (p < 0.05). Increased serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was associated with decreased FVC% of predicted values in the asymptomatic miners (r = -0.503, p = 0.014).ConclusionsIn coal mine workers, alterations of lung function parameters are associated with the development of CWP and with changes in circulating MMP-9, TIMP-9, IL-13 and IL-18R. These serum biomarkers may likely reflect the pathogenesis and progression of CWP in coal workers, and may provide for the importance of serum indicators in the early diagnosis of lung function injury in coal miners.

Clinical significance of CC16 and IL-12 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of various stages of silicosis

“…Huaux et al (15) showed that the stimulation of silica dust particles increased IL-12p40 levels in the lungs, thereby aggravating the formation of pulmonary fibrosis, indicating that IL-12p40 aggravation caused the recruitment of nuclear macrophages was related with the formation of pulmonary fibrosis. Our data also showed IL-12 levels in BALF from silicosis groups were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01), which was consistent with the results of Zou et al (16). The probable reason is the stimulation of silica dust particles that abnormally activates macrophages, thereby resulting in abnormally increased IL-12 secretion.…”

Relationship of cumulative dust exposure dose and cumulative abnormal rate of pulmonary function in coal mixture workers

“…In addition, dust exposure was found to be associated with a routine decline in FEV1 in workers of Norwegian silicon carbide plants each year [26]. Compared with healthy miners, pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, FEF50, FEF75, and FEF25–75% of predicted values) declined among miners with CWP, suggesting that changes in pulmonary function parameters are associated with the development of CWP among coal mine workers [27]. Pulmonary function indices (FVC%, FEV1%, and FEV1/FVC%) in the exposed group significantly declined from the < 10 years group to 10–19 years group, 20–29 years group.…”

Influence of Cytokines and Soluble Receptors in the Quality of Life and Functional Capacity of Workers Exposed to Silica

“…3 This exposure can promote a local and/or systemic inflammatory process, resulting in the production of inflammatory mediators; these mediators have been implicated in the etiology of silicosis, which include interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, soluble receptors of TNF-a, (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2), CCL-3 and CCL-24. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The diagnosis of silicosis is made by chest radiograph abnormalities that show the typical pattern of nodules and scars, together with the clinical and occupational history of the patient. 11 As silicosis is an irreversible disease, treatments can only relieve symptoms and minimize the decline of lung function.…”