Oxidative stress and early DNA damage in workers exposed to iron-rich metal fumes

Abstract

Occupational exposure to metal fumes occurs routinely in many occupational settings. The inflammatory response to fumes and metals after exposure could lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species and level of DNA damage. In this study, the level of early DNA damage and oxidative stress was evaluated in a group of steel company (n = 30) and compared to the non-exposed (n = 28) subjects. All DNA damage markers in workers were significantly higher in exposed group in comparison with controls (p < 0.001). Stratified analysis based on smoking showed no significant differences between smoking and comet assay parameters. There was no significant difference between workers and controls in terms of HCT, TIBC, iron, and ferreting. However, HB in controls was significantly lower than exposed group (p < 0.001). A significant increase in catalase activity and MDA serum levels were observed in workers in comparison with controls. These findings suggest for the potential genotoxic effect of iron reach dust. Due to recent findings on the predictive potential of comet assay for cancer development, further, researches should be conducted to investigate the possible biochemical mechanism of such finding.

Serum iron levels are an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality of critically ill patients: a retrospective, single-institution study

“…Finally, our findings were subject to bias by many confounding factors. Examples of this possible bias are that serum iron levels are closely associated with oxidative stress, 24 and critically ill patients often require mechanical ventilation and other therapeutic measures that are associated with oxidative stress. 20 In conclusion, low serum iron levels correlate with a poor prognosis in critically ill patients in the ICU, particularly in older patients.…”

Preliminary study to investigate the distribution and effects of certain metals after inhalation of welding fumes in mice

“…These experiments underlined the importance of different metal content in the fume (especially welding high-alloy steels) causing irritation, decreased pulmonary function, increased airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchitis, even lung cancer, like Cr, Al, Ni, Mn, Mg. Some of the metals can be absorbed from the lungs and have systemic effects on the nervous system or in the kidneys (Akbarkhanzadeh 1980, Antonini et al 2003, Pandeh et al 2017, Rossignol et al 1990). TIG welding process is highly underrepresented in these kinds of investigations, probably because it is less widely used and produces signi cantly less amount of visible fume.…”