20 Evaluation of indices of oxidative DNA damage, inflammation, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites as biomarkers of toxicity in foundry workers

Abstract Background/Objectives Foundry work is associated with increased risk of adverse health conditions accruing from chronic exposure to toxic contaminants in foundry fumes. This study assessed the Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), iron, cadmium, oxidative stress indices (Total antioxidants capacity (TAC)), Total plasma peroxidase (TPP)), Oxidative stress index (OSI), (Reduced glutathione (GSH), Nitric Oxide (NO)), 8-hydroxy- 2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)), inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP)), renal functions (serum and urine urea and creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites (2-hydroxy naphthalene (2-OHNaph), 9-hydroxy fluorene (9-OHFlu), 3-hydroxy phenanthrene (3-OHPhen), 1-hydroxy pyrene (1-OHPyr) and 3-hydroxy benzo{a}pyrene (3-OHBaPyr)) in foundry workers in relation to years of exposure. Methods Thirty foundry workers and 30 controls (20 to 65 yr) were enrolled into this cross-sectional study. The PEFR was determined using the peak flow meter, iron and cadmium by AAS, TAC, TPP, GSH, NO by colorimetry, CRP, HsCRP, 8-OHdG by ELISA, PAH metabolites by GC-MS, and OSI by calculation. Results Foundry workers had significantly lower PEFR, TAC, GSH, and higher cadmium, iron, NO, TPP, OSI, CRP, HsCRP compared to controls (P < 0.05). Cadmium correlated positively with duration of exposure (r = 0.426, P = 0.019) and iron (r = 0.478, P = 0.008); 1-OHPyr with 2-OHNaph (r = 0.379, P = 0.039), and 9-OHFlu (r = 0.362, P = 0.049), while PEFR correlated negatively with CRP (r = −0.399, P = 0.029); eGFR with CRP (r = −0.773, P = <0.001) and HsCRP (r = −0.760, P = <0.001) respectively only in foundry workers. Conclusions Exposure to foundry fumes is associated with increased lipid peroxidation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and heavy metals, as well as reduced lung function and antioxidants, which may promote development of multiple organ toxicities.