GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY AND HEALTH EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO NITROAROMATIC COMPOUNDS IN AMMUNITION INDUSTRY (B) | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine | ||
| Article 1, Volume 42, Issue 1, January 2018, Pages 1-20 PDF (555.89 K) | ||
| Document Type: Study paper | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejom.2018.4935 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Zayet HH1; Zawilla NH1; Yousry SM2; Abdelsamea AA1 | ||
| 1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine | ||
| 2Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Introduction: In factory workers, exposure to nitroaromatic compounds has been linked to many adverse health effects. Aim of work: To study the role of polymorphisms of Glutathione S-transferase ( GST) gene as an effect modifier in relation to nitroaromatic induced health hazards. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 40 workers as an exposed group comprising all workers engaged in ammunition production in a military factory in Helwan area, and a control group of 40 workers. All participants were subjected to an occupational and medical history questionnaire with full clinical examination, slit lamp examination, ECG scanning and laboratory investigations that included: liver and kidney functions, complete blood picture and serum 8-OHdG. Genetic study of GST gene polymorphism was done for the whole population. Multiplex PCR was performed for determination of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes polymorphisms in the isolated DNAs, while PCR –Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR- RFLP) was performed for GSTP1 gene polymorphisms. Results: Regarding frequency distribution of GST genes, in the exposed workers, intact gene of GST (M, T) and the wild GST (P) genes were more prevalent (57.5%, 65% and 62.5% respectively). However, in the control group, the intact gene of GST (M) and the wild GST (P) genes were more prevalent (95% and 77.5% respectively). In the exposed group regarding GST genes polymorphism, null GSTM gene group were predisposed to flushing, lower levels of Hematocrit value and Hb levels and blood urea. GSTP mutation group showed highly significant elevation of ALT and AST levels compared with intact gene group, while significant higher prevalence of ischemic heart diseases and level of Introduction Nitroaromatic compounds have been reported as toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. They are used in multiple applications as pharmaceuticals, antimicrobial agents, food additives, pesticides, explosives, dyes and raw materials in several industrial processes (Oliveira et al., 2010). TNT is one of the most recalcitrant and toxic of all the military explosives used (Padda et al., 2003). It is used in military shells, bombs, and grenades, in industrial uses, and in underwater blasting (Oliveira et al., 2010). TNT has accumulated in areas of manufacturing, storage, and decommissioning over recent decades. Various government agencies, such as the EPA have listed TNT as a priority pollutant and have recommended that it should be removed from contaminated sites to prevent environmental and health problems (Van Aken, 2009). Despite the strong causal associations between certain occupational exposures and related health hazards, still there are differences in disease incidence between workers that cannot be accounted for by differences in exposures or work practices. Genetic polymorphisms account for some of these differences, thus should be included as relevant variables in study design and analysis (NIOSH, 2004). Glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes comprise a family of phase II detoxifying metabolic enzymes best known for their ability to catalyze the conjugation of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) to xenobiotic substrates (Atkinson and Babbitt, 2009), thus preventing their interaction with crucial cellular proteins and nucleic acids (Hayes et al., 2005 and Josephy, 2010). It is an important detoxifying mechanism ensuring more soluble substrates and allowing them to ALT in GSTT null gene carriers on the other hand a significant higher mean level of creatinine and lower mean level of AST, was noted among exposed workers with GSTT nun null gene carriers. Conclusion: Genetic polymorphism in members of the GST gene family may be considered as an effect modifier and as genetic susceptibility for some nitroaromatic compounds health hazards. Recommendations: Further studies are recommended on a larger scale to study the net effect of multiple contributing genes. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Ammunition workers; Nitroaromatic health hazards; GST genes and Gene environment interaction | ||
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