Metabolism of Hexachlorobenzene in Humans: Association between Serum Levels and Urinary Metabolites in a Highly Exposed Population

To‐Figueras, Jordi; Sala, María; Rial-Otero, R.; Barrot, C.; Santiago-Silva, Mary; Rodamilans, M.; Herrero, C; Grimalt, Joan O.; Sunyer, Jordi

doi:10.2307/3433066

Cited by 18 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…A strong correlation between internal dose of HCB and the formation of mercapturic acid derivatives in urine was found in a previous study 18. The formation of glutathione conjugates may play a significant part in HCB detoxification within this range of human accumulation of HCB.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…No differences in socioeconomic, occupational, and health status, nor in HCB concentrations, were found between subjects from the random samples and volunteers. Concentrations of HCB in serum were analyzed in all samples by gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detection (GC-ECD) as previously described 18. Polychlorobiphenyls (summation of 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180 congeners) were also assessed due to their potential effects on thyroid and liver enzymes.…”

Section: Population and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Association between serum concentrations of hexachlorobenzene and polychlorobiphenyls with thyroid hormone and liver enzymes in a sample of the general population

Sala¹

2001

Occup Environ Med

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Objectives-Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a highly lipophilic organochlorine compound of widespread environmental occurrence, that accumulates in the biological system. It aVects the porphyrine metabolism, thyroid hormones, and the liver function in animals. Although HCB is one of the most common organochlorine compound in humans, little investigation on its health eVects has been done. Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are also widespread toxic environmental contaminants. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of serum HCB and PCB concentrations with thyroid hormone status and liver enzymes in human. Methods-Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total and free thyroxine (T4), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and -glutamyltransferase (GGT) were measured as biological markers of thyroid and liver function in a rural population sample older than 14 years (n=192, except for TSH with n=608) highly exposed to HCB. Serum concentrations of HCB were measured by gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detection. Results-After adjustment for confounding variables, there was a significant negative association between serum HCB concentrations and total T4 (a decrease of 0.32 µg/dl per each unit, ln ng/ml, of increase of HCB) and a positive association with GGT (a relative increase of 10 % per each ln unit of increase of HCB), although most subjects (92%) were within the normal range for both T4 and GGT. These associations were not modified after adjustment for total lipid content or for other organochlorine compounds. The association of T4 and GGT with PCB was smaller although significant. No association was found with the other biochemical markers. Conclusions-These results suggest that the internal dose of HCB of this population may reflect a subtle metabolic eVect on thyroid function and an enzymatic induction activity. Further studies are needed to evaluate the health impact of these eVects in more susceptible populations, such as infants. (Occup Environ Med 2001;58:172-177)

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Population and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between serum concentrations of hexachlorobenzene and polychlorobiphenyls with thyroid hormone and liver enzymes in a sample of the general population

Sala¹

2001

Occup Environ Med

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“…Total porphyrins were analysed in 604 of these participants [11], a subsample of 241 of them being included in the present study. This subsample was composed of a 100 subjects previously selected for the studies of HCB biokinetics [15] consisting of those 8 subjects with the four highest and four lowest HCB levels, complemented by a random sample of 92, supplemented by a further 141 subjects who had worked in the electrochemical factory. Workers were included because they had the highest levels of HCB in Flix [10].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All the analyses were carried out in the Department of Environmental Chemistry (CID-CSIC). Details of the methodology have been reported elsewhere [10,15]. We present results for the most prevalent compounds found in sera samples: HCB, dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene ( p,p' -DDE), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) which we present as the summation of the individual congeners 28, 52, 101, 118, 138,153, and 180.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serum organochlorines and urinary porphyrin pattern in a population highly exposed to hexachlorobenzene

et al. 2002

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BackgroundPorphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is caused by hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in several species of laboratory mammals, but the human evidence is contradictory. In a study among adults of a population highly exposed to HCB (Flix, Catalonia, Spain), the prevalence of PCT was not increased. We aimed at analysing the association of individual urinary porphyrins with the serum concentrations of HCB and other organochlorine compounds in this highly exposed population.MethodsA cross-sectional study on total porphyrins was carried out in 1994 on 604 inhabitants of the general population of Flix, older than 14 years. Of them, 241 subjects (comprising a random sample and the subgroup with the highest exposure) were included for the present study. The porphyrin profile was determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Serum concentrations of HCB, as well as common organochlorine compounds, were determined by gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detection.ResultsCoproporphyrin I (CPI) and coproporphyrin III (CPIII) were the major porphyrins excreted, while uroporphyrins I and III were only detected in 2% and 36% of the subjects respectively, and heptaporphyrins I and III in 1% and 6%, respectively. CPI and CPIII decreased with increasing HCB concentrations (p < 0.05). This negative association was not explained by age, alcohol, smoking, or other organochlorine compounds. No association was found between uroporphyrin I and III excretion, nor heptaporphyrin excretion, and HCB. CPIII increased with smoking (p < 0.05).ConclusionHCB exposure in this highly exposed population did not increase urinary concentrations of individual porphyrins.

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“…It has been found that metabolism of HCB mediated by glutathion was higher in men than in women. 29 Few studies have assessed diVerences in organochlorine concentrations by sex, partly because most of the studies have been done only on women. In other studies no consistent diVerences have been reported, 24 30 but failure to adjust for occupation may explain part of these inconsistencies.…”

Section: Concentrations Of -Hch Pp'-dde Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organochlorine in the serum of inhabitants living near an electrochemical factory.

et al. 1999

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Objectives-To measure the impact of occupational and lifestyle factors on concentrations of organochlorine compounds in a general population sample living near an electrochemical factory with a high airborne concentration of hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Methods-Serum samples from 608 people (328 selected from a random sample) were collected in 1994. Information on lifestyles, occupation, and medical condition was obtained by questionnaire. Results-HCB and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in all samples (means 36.7 ng/ml and 4.3 ng/ml respectively), followed by dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane (DDE) and -hexachlorocyclohexane ( -HCH), found in 98.7% and 87.3% of the samples respectively (means 4.6 ng/ml and 2.5 ng/ml, respectively). Concentrations of HCB were the highest ever reported. Occupation in the factory was the main determinant of the variation in concentrations of HCB (regression coeYcients 1.52 (SEM 0.14) in ln (HCB) for workers in the production department, and 2.13 (0.23) for workers in maintenance department) and explained the highest concentrations of HCB found in men of middle age. In retired workers, concentrations of HCB declined with time since retirement. The PCBs, dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT), and -HCH were independent of the occupation and concentrations were similar to those found in other populations. Concentrations of -HCH and DDE in the whole population, and HCB among non-workers, were higher in women than in men. Concentrations of all measured organochlorine compounds increased with age and body mass index. Consumption of locally caught fish was an independent determinant of HCB and PCB concentrations.Conclusions-This population incorporated HCB directly through occupation in the electrochemical factory, by airborne pollution, and consumption of locally caught fish. Concentrations of other common organochlorine compounds were not higher than expected. Environmental exposures to these compounds deserve attention due to their persistence and potential health eVects. (Occup Environ Med 1999;56:152-158)

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Metabolism of Hexachlorobenzene in Humans: Association between Serum Levels and Urinary Metabolites in a Highly Exposed Population

Cited by 18 publications

References 13 publications

Association between serum concentrations of hexachlorobenzene and polychlorobiphenyls with thyroid hormone and liver enzymes in a sample of the general population

Association between serum concentrations of hexachlorobenzene and polychlorobiphenyls with thyroid hormone and liver enzymes in a sample of the general population

Serum organochlorines and urinary porphyrin pattern in a population highly exposed to hexachlorobenzene

Organochlorine in the serum of inhabitants living near an electrochemical factory.

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