The Association of Increased Oxidative Stress and Tumor Biomarkers Related to Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure for Different Occupational Workers in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Exposure to occupational polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is correlated with several adverse effects on human health, including bladder, lung, and skin cancer. The correlation between PAH exposure and oxidative stress and tumor markers needs to be further explored. Therefore, we conducted this study to examine the effect of acute exposure to PAHs on oxidative stress and tumor marker levels in occupational workers during the Hajj season in Makkah. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 105 workers during Hajj; 60 workers were employed in the open air for ≥eight hours/day, exposed them to high levels of considerable traffic and huge crowds, and 45 workers served as our control group who were unexposed and working in a rural area. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, we analyzed participants' urinary 1-hydroxypyrene to determine PAH levels. Oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were analyzed in serum using a spectrophotometer. The serum p53 and p21 proteins were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We used IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) to calculate multivariate logistic regression analysis for oxidative stress and tumor markers such as age, working period, and smoking status risk factors. Additionally, we evaluated associations between oxidative stress and tumor markers. Results: The mean levels of MDA, GST, and LDH were significantly elevated in exposed workers compared to the control group (p<.001). Also, p53 and p21 protein levels were significantly higher in the occupationally exposed group than in the unexposed control group (p<0.05). No significant correlation between age and increased levels of p53 and p21 was found. Conclusions: In our study, PAH exposure is significantly correlated with higher levels of oxidative stress and tumor marker levels in occupational workers. The evaluation of oxidative stress and tumor marker indicators can efficiently identify workers at high risk of PAH exposure and may assist in preventing future health concerns. More biomarkers should be included in other longitudinal studies to address exposure related to different health risks among workers, especially cancer risk. More prospective studies are required to validate diagnostic utilities and efficiencies of different biomarker combinations.

Investigation of Hyperlipidemia Associated with Increased Levels of Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins and 8-Hydroxy-2´-Deoxyguanosine

“…8-Hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) is generated following the repair of DNA damage which is caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS); thus, it is considered as one of the most widely known markers of DNA oxidative damage. 22 Previous works have shown that DNA damage and oxidative stress caused by different factors 23 are significantly associated with the atherosclerosis and heart failure, 24 and the role of this oxidative damage in the onset and contribution to progression of this pathologic condition need to be more clarified. On the other hand, previous studies demonstrate an association between increased levels of 8-OH-dG and hyperlipidemia.…”

Cytogenetic analysis of coke oven workers in Eastern Slovakia

“…Higher levels of oxidative stress and tumor markers have been reported in occupationally PAH-exposed populations (8). An increased risk of stomach or gastrointestinal cancer has also been reported in the general population in association with smoked or grilled foods, such as fish and meat products, that become contaminated with PAHs during preparation (4,5,9).…”