Neurobehavioral, Autonomic Nervous Function and Lymphocyte Subsets among Aluminum Electrolytic Workers

Abstract

The purpose of our study is to determine the alteration of neurobehavioral parameters, autonomic nervous function and lymphocyte subsets in aluminum electrolytic workers of long-term aluminum exposure. Thirtythree men who were 35.16 ± 2.95 (mean ± S.D) years old occupationally exposed to aluminum for 14.91 ± 6.31 (mean ± S.D) years. Air AI level and urinary aluminum concentration were measured by means of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Normal reference groups were selected from a flour plant. Neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB) recommended by WHO was utilized. Autonomic nervous function test battery recommended by Ewing DJ was conducted on subjects. FAC SCAN was used to measure the lymphocyte subsets of peripheral blood. The mean air aluminum level in the workshop was 6.36 mg/nr', ranged from 2.90 to 11.38 mg/m', Urinary aluminum of the AI electrolytic workers (40.08 ± 9.36 microgram/mg.cre) was obviously higher than that of control group (26.84 ± 8.93m/mg.cre). Neurobehavioral results showed that the scores of DSY, PAC and PA in AI electrolytic workers were significantly lower than those of control group, The scores of POMSC, POMSF and SRT among AI exposed workers were significantly augmented in relation to those of control group. The scores of SRT and SRTF were obviously decreased in AI exposed group compared to control group. Autonomic nervous function test results showed that R-R interval variability of max:min ratio of immediately standing up in AI electrolytic workers were decreased compare with the control group, while the BP-IS, HR-V, HR-DB, R 311 : 15 had no significant change. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets test showed that CD4'CD8+ T lymphocyte in AI electrolytic workers increased. This study suggests that AI exposure exerts adverse effects on neurobehavioral performance, especially movement coordination and negative mood, and parasympathetic nervous function; moreover it increase CD4-CD8+ T lymphocyte subsets.

A comprehensive study on neurobehavior, neurotransmitters and lymphocyte subsets alteration of Chinese manganese welding workers

“…Stresses of multiple types, including psychological and exposure to chemicals and infectious agents, may combine to enhance neuroimmunotoxicology Ader, 1980). Many neurotoxin substances have immunotoxicity as well, such as Al and Lead (He and Niu, 2003;Niu et al, 2001;Kim and Lawrence, 2000) even at lowlevel long-term exposure. However, few reports have been seen on Mn.…”

Neurocognitive Effects in Welders Exposed to Aluminium: An Application of the NPC Test and NPC Ranking Methods

“…Indeed, the statistical study of the obtained responses, distinct for the single mental reagents, showed greater sensitiveness in the performances investigated by the WMS and Stroop test, which are structured reagents for the estimation of the complex functions of memory and attention, compared to those obtained using the attention matrices test that investigates attention as a simple function, a condition already highlighted in studies by Akila. The alterations observed in the studied cognitive functions increase as the risk index indicative of exposure increases, determined by exposure time and quantity of metal absorbed. This observation is present in studies by Guo-Ross, who observes cognitive changes only in subjects with exposure times of more than ten years (Guo-Ross et al 1999), and in studies by He et al (2003) who observes disturbances in the behavioural and parasympathetic sphere in aluminium electrolytic workers with a long period of exposure. This correlates with studies by Iregren (1999), who maintains that the absence of neuropsychological changes are attributable to a short period of exposure, and by Yokel (2000), who describes how Al accumulates in the NCS following prolonged exposure.…”

“…Sinczuk-Walczak et al (2003) emphasised the onset of neurological effects such as headaches, irritability, concentration difficulties and insomnia due to exposure to aluminium oxide in concentrations below the MAC value. He et al (2003) reported that Al had negative effects on both mood and neurobehavioral and parasympathetic functions in 32 Al electrolytic workers, shown using the Profile of Mood States. Lang and Letzel (1995), Iregren et al (1999Iregren et al ( , 2001 and Letzel et al (2000), in independent studies carried out on subjects with different occupational exposures, do not observe significant effects of Al on the NCS.…”

Neurobehavioral science in hazard identification and risk assessment of neurotoxic agents—what are the requirements for further development?

“…1 Number of articles found in MEDLINE on the neurobehavioral effects from occupational, environmental and pharmaceutical exposure to neurotoxicants has recently been confirmed for low occupational exposure levels of styrene (Seeber et al 2004), toluene (Filley et al 2004), trichloroethylene (Reif et al 2003), and for low lead levels in children (Chiodo et al 2004). Neurobehavioral effects were also recently assessed for aluminum (Buchta et al 2003;He et al 2003), arsenic (Tchounwou et al 2004;Tsai et al 2003), carbon monoxide (Raub and Benignus 2002), dioxin (Lim et al 2004), ethylene dichloride (Bowler et al 2003b), hydrogen sulfide (Inserra et al 2004), manganese in children (Takser et al 2003), inorganic and organic mercury Grandjean et al 2003;Lucchini et al 2003), and polychlorinated biphenyls (Schantz et al 2003). Meta-analyses of neurobehavioral studies were published for lead and mercury exposure .…”