Assessment of Lipid profile level, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) & 5’ nucleotidase in exposed gas turbine workers

ABSTRACT Workers in high-energy environments, such as gas turbine power plants, are exposed to numerous physical and chemical stressors. Chronic exposure to gas turbine emissions has been linked to systemic disorders involving oxidative stress, liver dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study evaluated the Lipid Profile Levels, Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PDH) And 5′-Nucleotidase (5′-NT) Activities in Exposed Gas Turbine Workers in South-South Zone of Nigeria. A total of 384 participants, including 200 gas turbine workers and 184 controls, were recruited using a simple random sampling method. Participants, both male and female, were aged 20 to 50 years. The test and control groups were matched for age. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TAG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels as well as Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 5′-Nucleotidase (5′-NT) activities were determined using standard laboratory methods. Results showed statistically significantly lower TAG (149.97±155 Vs. 154.93±1.66; p = 0.044), HDL-c (35.40±0.70 Vs. 43.59±0.67; p = 0.001) and HDL-c/LDL-c ratio (0.28±0.01 Vs. 0.36±0.01; p = 0.001) and higher G6PDH activity (9.09±0.10 Vs. 8.46±0.16; p = 0.001) in the exposed gas turbine workers than in control group respectively. This study has shown significant alterations in lipid profile levels and G6PDH activity in the occupationally exposed gas turbine workers majorly characterized by reduced TAG, HDLc and HDLc/LDLc ratios, as well as increased G6PD activity. These changes suggest a potential increase in cardiovascular risk and oxidative stress in this population which warrant further longitudinal studies. Keyword: Gas turbine workers, Lipid profile, Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PDH), 5′-Nucleotidase (5′-NT), oxidative stress, cardiovascular