Increased oxidative stress in subjects exposed to carbon disulfide (CS 2 ) - an occupational coronary risk factor

Abstract

There is considerable epidemiological evidence that workers exposed to carbon disulfide (CS2) develop premature atherosclerosis leading to increased rates of coronary heart disease (CHD), but mechanisms underlying this association remain obscure. The present study documents that occupational exposure to CS2 modifies the oxidative status of plasma, which is a major determinant of the susceptibility to atherosclerosis. Concentrations of thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), which reflect lipid peroxidation processes in plasma, were determined in 29 men who were exposed to CS2 for more than 20 years, in 24 patients with peripheral atherosclerosis, and in 30 unexposed, healthy control subjects. TBARS concentrations were significantly increased both in CS2-exposed subjects and in patients with peripheral atherosclerosis. Subjects in both groups presented also with decreased levels of plasma alpha-tocopherol, a major plasma antioxidant. In addition, decreased activities of two enzymatic antioxidants, glutathion peroxidase and catalase, were noted both in CS2-exposed subjects and patients with peripheral atherosclerosis. Finally, LDL isolated from both groups showed increased susceptibility to transition metal-induced oxidation in vitro. It is concluded, that occupational exposure to CS2 produces oxidative stress in plasma. This may favor the development of atherosclerosis and increase the incidence of CHD in workers exposed to CS2.

N–nitrosamines are associated with shorter telomere length

“…Most observations for toluidines concern exposure to o-toluidine, which recently has been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer (51) and is classified as probable carcinogen (28). CS 2 exposure is associated with increased oxidative stress (52,53), and, at least at higher exposures, with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, health effects that also may be mediated by telomere shortening (54,55). Still, it cannot be ruled out that the effect of CS 2 in our study may be due to the fairly strong correlation to N-nitrosamines.…”

Cardiovascular Toxicity from the Perspective of Oxidative Stress, Electron Transfer, and Prevention by Antioxidants

“…OS in plasma may favor atherosclerosis and heart disease [67]. Radical cations were detected which affected DNA [68].…”

Blood oxidative stress in taiwan workers exposed to carbon disulfide

“…Both the CS 2 concentrations and exposure time contributed to the increase in MDA levels. Another study [Wronska‐Nofer et al, 2002] in workers with more than 20 years of CS 2 exposure demonstrated a significant increase in MDA levels, with a concurrent decrease in antioxidants (vitamin E, SOD, GSH‐peroxidase, and catalase). A recent report [Wronska‐Nofer et al, 2007] showed that subjects exposed to CS 2 presented with increased levels of lipid oxidation products, comparable to that observed in patients with coronarographically confirmed arteriosclerotic vascular disease.…”

“…Previous evidence suggests that oxidative stress may contribute to CS 2 ‐induced atherosclerosis [Jian and Hu, 2000; Wronska‐Nofer et al, 2002]. It has been reported that the average serum levels of superoxide enzymes (CuZnSOD) in workers exposed to CS 2 both above and below 10 mg/m 3 (3.23 ppm) were significantly higher than those in the controls [Jian and Hu, 2000], and that the SOD levels decreased when the exposure index (time‐weighted average; TWA concentrations × working years) was higher than 900.…”