Molecular markers of acute upper airway inflammation in workers exposed to fuel-oil ash.

Abstract

Biomarkers in nasal lavage (NL) fluid may be useful in determining the presence and severity of upper airway inflammation. We studied 18 boilermakers overhauling a large, oil-fired boiler and 11 utility workers who served as controls for 6 wk. NL was performed before (NL1), during (NL2), and after (NL3) the overhaul. We measured nasal fluid levels of interleukins 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) as markers of response to fuel-oil ash exposure. In boilermakers, MPO was elevated during boiler work versus preboiler work (mean = 33.8 versus 22.7 ng/ml, p < 0.05), and at the 2-wk postexposure lavage (NL3) it had declined to 24.2 ng/ml (p = 0.08). Mean IL-8 levels increased in boilermakers between NL1 and NL2 (mean = 83.8 versus 134.8 pg/ml, p < 0.05), then decreased at NL3 (mean = 134.8 versus 89.0 pg/ml, p < 0.05). Nasal fluid vanadium increased in boilermakers between NL1 and NL2 (median < 1.0 versus 4.7 ppb, respectively, p < 0.05), then decreased at NL3 (median, 4.7 versus < 1.0 ppb, respectively, p < 0. 05). Levels of IL-6 and ECP did not change significantly during the study. Utility workers showed no significant change in any marker during the study period. Particulate matter < 10 micro(m) (PM10) levels were higher for boilermakers than for utility workers before boiler work (geometric mean (GM) = 0.40 versus 0.10 mg/m3, p < 0.05). This difference was more significant during boiler work (GM = 0.47 versus 0.13 mg/m3, p < 0.001). Ozone levels were low during the study. These data suggest that exposure to fuel-oil ash results in acute upper airway inflammation, potentially mediated by increased IL-8 levels and the recruitment and activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These changes were associated with significantly increased PM10 levels and concentrations of upper airway vanadium.

• Authors: M A Woodin, R Hauser, Y Liu, T J Smith, P D Siegel, D M Lewis, D J Tollerud, D C Christiani
• Journal: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine (Am J Respir Crit Care Med) Vol. 158 Issue 1 Pg. 182-7 (Jul 1998) ISSN: 1073-449X [Print] United States
• PMID: 9655727 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants, Occupational
• Biomarkers
• Blood Proteins
• Cytokines
• Eosinophil Granule Proteins
• Fuel Oils
• Inflammation Mediators
• Interleukin-6
• Interleukin-8
• Vanadium Compounds
• Peroxidase
• Ribonucleases

Topics

• Adult
• Air Pollutants, Occupational (adverse effects)
• Biomarkers
• Blood Proteins (analysis)
• Cytokines (analysis)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Eosinophil Granule Proteins
• Fuel Oils (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Inflammation
• Inflammation Mediators (analysis)
• Interleukin-6 (analysis)
• Interleukin-8 (analysis)
• Middle Aged
• Nasal Lavage Fluid (chemistry)
• Occupational Diseases (chemically induced, diagnosis, immunology)
• Occupational Exposure
• Peroxidase (analysis)
• Respiratory Tract Diseases (diagnosis, immunology)
• Ribonucleases
• Vanadium Compounds (analysis)