The effects of dimethylformamide exposure on liver and kidney function in the elderly population

Abstract

Dimethylformamide (DMF) is widely used as a solvent in the production of synthetic leather. Previous studies have focused on workers exposed to DMF in leather factories; however, little attention has been paid to the general population. This study was conducted to examine the effects of DMF exposure on elderly residents living near synthetic leather factories. A total of 962 subjects over 60 years of age in proximity to these factories (monitoring points) were enrolled as the exposure group, and 1924 permanent residents living distant from the factories were enrolled as the control group. The exposure group was divided into 3 groups according to their distance from the monitoring points. Physical examination, routine blood tests, and liver and renal function data were collected, and the DMF concentration in the air was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The prevalence of abnormal heart rhythm, electrocardiogram and B-mode ultrasound results in the exposure group was significantly greater than in the control group. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in the exposure group also were higher than those in the control group ( P < .01). There was an effect of distance from leather factories on liver and kidney dysfunction in the 3 exposure groups. Compared with the exposure group at >3 km distance from the source, the prevalence of increased AST, ALT, and BUN in the exposure group at <1 km was significantly greater ( P < .001). It was concluded that DMF exposure was related to an increased risk of a cardiac injury and liver and kidney dysfunction.

Volatile organic compounds and mortality from ischemic heart disease: A case-cohort study

“…A cross-sectional study examined the effects of DMF exposure in the air on elderly residents living near synthetic leather factories in China. The results showed an increased risk of heart, liver, and kidney injuries associated with DMF exposure [ 38 ]. Methylisocyanate is used in the production of pesticides, polyurethane foam, and plastics and has been detected in cigarette smoke [ 39 ].…”

Investigation of urinary components in rat model of ketamine-induced bladder fibrosis based on metabolomics

“…Among them, hydroxyphenyllactic acid, epsilon-caprolactone, allocystathionine, methamphetamine, dimethylformamide, etc., were expressed differently, and the highest fold change reached to as high as 17. Myristoleic acid has been reported to induce apoptotic necrosis of prostate cells ( 16), L-homoserine may be involved in the induction of regulatory T cells (17), and dimethylformamide has been showed to be directly toxic to the kidneys (18). Some studies have been reported that the metabolites in urine may infiltrate into bladder urothelium, related to bladder damage (19).…”

Hepatotoxicopathology Evaluation of Dimethylformamide (Dmf) on Male Albino Rats Livers

“…As the use of DMF has increased year after year, so has concern about its potentially toxic effects. DMF has been shown in animal experiments and epidemiological studies to be toxic to the liver, kidneys, and reproductive system in both humans and animals (7). Previous research has found that the severity of DMF-induced liver injury is directly related to exposure dosage, time of exposure, and the patient's liver function individuals exposed (17).…”