Effects of Occupational Silica Exposure on OXIDATIVE Stress and Immune System Parameters in Ceramic Workers in TURKEY

Abstract

Silica is the second most common element after oxygen, and therefore, exposures to crystalline silica dust occur in a large variety of occupations such as metal foundries, constructions, and ceramic, quarry, and pottery industries. Since crystalline silica exposure has been linked with silicosis, lung cancer, and other pulmonary diseases, adverse effect attributed to this element has be a cause for concern worldwide. Silica dust exposure in workers is still considered to be important health problem especially in developing countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of occupational silica exposure on oxidative stress parameters including the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and levels of total glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) as well as immune system parameters such as interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in Turkish ceramic workers. In this study, nearly 50% of Turkish ceramic workers were diagnosed with silicosis. Eighty-four percent of these silicotic workers were found to present with profusion category 1 silicosis, whereas controls (n = 81) all displayed normal chest radiographs. Data demonstrated a significant decrease in levels of GSH and activities of CAT, SOD, and GPx, but a significant increase in MDA levels and activity of GR in all workers. Further, workers possessed significantly higher levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. These observations suggest that ceramic workers may have impaired antioxidant/oxidant status and activated immune system indicative of inflammatory responses.

Inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers induced by silica exposure in crystal craftsmen

“…A study performed in individuals with silicosis and other pulmonary diseases showed increased levels of MDA in silicosis, including correlation with radiological severity 59 . On the other hand, in coherence with the data from our present study, a recent study performed in workers exposed to silica from ceramics in Turkey showed increased serum MDA and decreased SOD levels associated with silica exposure (with and without silicosis) in comparison to the nonexposed controls 60 . These discordant results may be related to exposure factors such as particle size distribution, exposure intensity, and duration of exposure, as well as the duration and severity of the disease 17 .…”

“…59 On the other hand, in coherence with the data from our present study, a recent study performed in workers exposed to silica from ceramics in Turkey showed increased serum MDA and decreased SOD levels associated with silica exposure (with and without silicosis) in comparison to the nonexposed controls. 60 These discordant results may be related to exposure factors such as particle size distribution, exposure intensity, and duration of exposure, as well as the duration and severity of the disease. 17 FeNO was only related to the smoking status and to asymptomatic asthma in the studied population.…”

Risk of Mortality Caused by Silicosis and Lung Cancer: a Study on Ceramic Tile Factory Workers

“…Moreover, Steenland and colleagues also have been examining the risk of lung cancer in their detailed study over 10 years, since 2001. The two given studies came at the same results, both concerning mortality and cancer percentage, as we found in ours, which underlines the gravity of exposure to this substance and necessity of regular monitoring to reduce the risk of cancer caused by the silica exposure [16][17].…”

“…As revealed by the results, blood indices like ALT, AST, PLT, WBC, and CR as well as the levels of mercury were reported to be higher among the ceramic workers than the control group while the levels of hematocrit were lower in the ceramic workers than the control group. Thirty eight workers were diagnosed with silicosis, 9 were suspected to have silicosis, and only 52 were healthy [17]. The risk assessment, over the recent years, has been raised as one of the most significant issues regarding the control of occupational diseases.…”

Effect of experimental pneumoconiosis on lipid peroxidation and the activity of enzymes the antioxidant protection system in albino rats

“…GPR is an enzyme that reduces containing hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides with simultaneous glutathione oxidation (GSH) [21,22]. GPR is 1000 times more related with hydrogen peroxide in comparison with CAT and is, therefore, regarded as a first choice in the protection of the cell from hydrogen peroxide.…”