Objective: The present work aimed to investigate the relationship between occupational exposure to airborne molds, serum aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), and liver enzymes of workers handling wheat flour. Methods: The study included 90 bakers, 100 flour milling workers, and 100 controls with no exposure to flour dust. Workplace aspects such as temperature and relative humidity were measured. Airborne fungi were collected and identified. In all subjects included, the serum levels of AFB1, serum albumin (Alb), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. Results: Air temperature and relative humidity were found to be higher in bakeries than in flour mill sections. Airborne Aspergillus species were isolated in dust particles <8 µm in size. The concentration of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were higher in bakeries than in the flour mill sections. They were higher in the grinding section than in other mill sections. The serum AFB1-Alb adduct and ALP levels were significantly higher in bakers compared to milling workers ( p < 0.0001, p = 0.05), respectively. The liver enzymes AST and ALT were significantly higher among milling workers and bakers than controls ( p < 0.05, p < 0.0001), respectively. The duration of exposure was significantly correlated with serum AFB1 in bakers. Moreover, there was significant correlation between serum AFB1, each of ALT and AST levels in bakers. Conclusions: chronic occupational exposure to high concentrations of Aspergillus in workplaces may cause elevations in serum levels of AFB1 and liver enzymes in workers exposed to flour dust. Hence, worker protection measures should be consistently adopted and enforced at the workplace.

Exposure to fungi had a significant effect on AFM1 measurements and tumor biomarkers, especially in allergic textile workers (with the exception of the arginase biomarker), though results were generally within normal limits.

Aim: The study aimed to estimate oxidative role of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the liver in wheat milling workers. Materials and Methods:Case-control study was conducted to compare between the levels of AFB1/albumin (AFB1/alb), liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP), P53, MDA, GST, SOD, zinc and vitamin C in 35 wheat milling workers and 40 control subjects.Results: Statistical analysis revealed that ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, P53, MDA, GST and SOD in workers were significantly elevated compared to their controls. In the milling workers, there were significant correlations between MDA levels and the levels of AST, GGT, and P53, while, P53 was inversely correlated with GST and SOD activities. There were significant correlations between Zn levels and GGT, GST and SOD activities, between vitamin C and GST activities, and vitamin C inversely correlated with MDA. Conclusion:The present study concluded that the oxidative stress of AFB1 elevated the MDA and the liver enzymes in wheat milling workers. GST has a crucial role in the detoxification of aflatoxin and SOD as a scavenger antioxidant increased in the workers to overcome the oxidative toxic effects of AFB1 on the liver of the workers, and roles of Zn and vitamin C were significant in activation of these processes.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is considered a multifaceted neurodevelopmental disorder. The last two decades showed an increase in its prevalence until reached about 1 in 54 children. Autistic symptoms may be exacerbated when the interaction of the genetic and the environmental risk factors occur, suggesting that gene-environment interaction could be a mechanism underlying the aetiology of ASD. Aluminium is a known neurotoxic metal that has known health effects in humans. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) genes and their enzymes play a major role in the detoxification of many toxic metals. Data were collected from 76 children aged 2-8 years diagnosed with ASD and 30 sex and age matched healthy children. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of polymorphisms in the two GST genes (GSTM1 and GSTT1) with mean aluminium concentrations (as, gene-environment interaction) and oxidative status markers (GST enzyme, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide) among the studied groups. The study started at December 2019 and last for one year at the clinics of National Research Centre, Egypt. The results of this study showed that the null GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotype is the most common type in ASD and that genotype may predispose ASD children to decreased antioxidant status (GST enzyme activity) which in term lead to mal detoxification of aluminium. There is marked increase in aluminium concentrations in hair of ASD children and oxidative markers (increase in MDA and NO) leading to oxidative damage that may play an important role in children autistic status. The study recommends adding antioxidant supplements to daily diet of ASD children to improve their antioxidant status and in term improving management of patients with autism spectrum disorders. Further studies are needed to describe other GST gene polymorphisms.

Background Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is classified as a Group I carcinogen. A Previous study found that oxidative stress from the metabolism of AFB1 induced hepatotoxic effects in wheat miller workers. Zinc and vitamin C may play a significant role in the activation of detoxification and overcoming the oxidative stress of AFB1. Objectives A prospective clinical trial was designed to evaluate the role of zinc and vitamin C oral supplementation on the oxidant-antioxidant status and the hepatotoxic effects of AFB1 in wheat miller workers. Methods Liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT), P53 protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione S transferase (GST), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), zinc and vitamin C were estimated in 35 wheat miller workers before and after zinc and vitamin C supplementation for 1 month. Results The results revealed that zinc and vitamin C were significantly increased after the one-month supplementation, while liver enzymes (AST, ALP, and GGT), MDA, and GST of the workers were significantly decreased. SOD and P53 were also decreased but not to a significant level; SOD was decreased in 56% and P53 was decreased in 58% of the total workers. Conclusions Zinc and vitamin C oral supplementation for 1 month had an ameliorative effect on the hepatotoxicity of AFB1 in wheat miller workers, through decreasing MDA, SOD, and GST levels that in turn led to an improvement in their liver enzymes. Further study on a larger scale is needed to confirm these results.

Diabetic patients are at risk of acquiring infections. Chronic low-grade inflammation is an important factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic complication. Diabetes causes generation of reactive oxygen species that increases oxidative stress, which may play a role in the development of complications as immune-deficiency and bacterial infection. The study aimed to investigate the role of a natural antioxidant, cumin, in the improvement of immune functions in diabetes. Diabetes was achieved by interperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Bacterial infection was induced by application of Staphylococcus aureus suspension to a wound in the back of rats. The antioxidant was administered for 6 weeks. Results revealed a decrease in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats (p < 0.001), in addition to improving immune functions by decreasing total IgE approaching to the normal control level. Also, inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-1β and TNF) levels, as well as total blood count decreased in diabetic rats as compared to the control group. Thus, cumin may serve as anti-diabetic treatment and may help in attenuating diabetic complications by improving immune functions. Therefore, a medical dietary antioxidant supplementation is important to improve the immune functions in diabetes.

This study aims to estimate the association between some heavy metals in suspended particulate matter (SPM) and kidney damage among workers at different departments in a secondary aluminum production plant. It also investigates the association between Xeroderma Pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) gene polymorphisms and worker’s susceptibility to kidney dysfunction. It was conducted on 30 workers from the administrative departments and 147 workers from different departments in the production line. Estimation of some heavy metals (Al, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Cd) in suspended particulate matter (SPM) is done. Also, urinary levels of those metals were measured for all workers. Kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), clusterin levels, and XPD protein level were estimated. Genotyping of XPD gene polymorphisms was performed. The measured annual average concentrations of the estimated heavy metals were lower than the permissible limits. Gravity area had the maximum concentration of metals with a higher Al average daily dose and hazardous index > 1. Kidney injury biomarkers (clusterin and KIM-1) were increased significantly (p < 0.05) while XPD protein showed the lowest levels among workers at the gravity and cold rolling areas. XPD Asn/Asp genotype was more dominant among those workers (85.7%). Conclusion: aluminum workers are at risk of kidney disorders due to heavy metal exposure. The individual’s susceptibility to the diseases is related to the DNA repair efficiency mechanisms. The defect in XPD protein represents a good indicator of susceptibility to the disease. KIM-1 and clusterin estimation is a predictor biomarker for early-staged kidney diseases.

In this study, the risk of Aspergillus (Asp.) positivity and its respiratory health impacts on wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) workers were studied. In addition, it identified the geno-susceptibility role of mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene polymorphisms and the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) serum levels on the pulmonary functions of the Asp.-positive workers. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed for 89 workers from a selected WWTP, after exclusion of the smokers. Molecular identification of Asp. blood positivity was done by 18S rRNA sequencing. Determination of MBL2 gene polymorphism and estimation of MBL serum levels were done. PFTs revealed abnormalities in 49.2% of the workers. Asp. was positive in 42.5% of the workers with different species. Among the Asp.-positive workers, 6.5% of the workers were with obstructive PFTs, 12.9% with restriction, and 22.6% with combined PFT abnormalities. MBL2 genotyping showed that wild genotype AA was common (68.5%) among Asp.-positive workers compared to the other genotypes. This allele, whether homozygous or heterozygous, was significantly associated with decline in PFTs of the exposed workers. MBL serum levels were significantly lower in workers with obstructive, restrictive, and combined PFT abnormalities compared to those with normal PFTs, and in the workers with Asp.-positive species than the Asp.-negative workers. Moreover, it was significantly lower in workers with Asp. fumigatus compared to that in the workers with other Asp. species, and in the Asp.-positive workers with homozygous or heterozygous A allele compared to that in the Asp.-positive workers with homozygous B allele. Working in a WWTP can be associated with impaired PFTs due to exposure to airborne fungi. MBL2 genotyping showed that Asp.-positive workers with homozygous or heterozygous A allele were at risk to develop decline in their PFTs.