Serum Oxidant and Antioxidant Levels in Diesel Exposed Toll Collectors

Abstract

Serum Oxidant and Antioxidant Levels in Diesel Exposed Toll Collectors: Peri ARBAK, et al. Department of Chest Diseases, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Duzce School of Medicine, Turkey-It has been suggested that exposure to diesel exhaust may lead to adverse effects due to the generation of oxidants. To evaluate the end products of oxidative stress in DE exposure, toll collectors who are considered a high risk group in regard to occupational toxins were compared to controls who had office-based occupations in the same company in this cross sectional study. A total of 38 toll collectors constituted the study group. All subjects were male. The toll collectors and 29 controls were similar regarding age, smoking status and duration of work. All subjects underwent a clinical examination and an intervieweradministrated questionnaire regarding respiratory symptoms, past medical and occupational history, and pulmonary function tests were performed in all subjects. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite+nitrate and vitamin E levels were measured. Toll collectors showed higher serum MDA (5.76 ± 2.15 µmol/L vs. 3.07 ± 0.76 µmol/L, p=0.0001) and nitrite+nitrate levels (96.50 ± 45.54 µmol/L vs. 19.32 ± 11.77 µmol/L, p=0.0001) than controls. Vitamin E levels were similar in toll collectors and controls (10.57 ± 3.44 mg/L and 9.72 ± 2.44 mg/L, respectively, p=0.267). There was no difference between groups in terms of the findings of clinical examinations and respiratory symptoms. In pulmonary function parameters, only peak expiratory flow (PEF) in toll collectors was significantly lower than that of controls (88.9% predicted and 104.2% predicted, respectively, p=0.012). In conclusion, we suggest that serum MDA and nitrite+nitrate levels may be used asReceived Dec 16, 2003; Accepted May 24, 2004 Correspondence to: P. Arbak, Department of Chest Diseases, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Duzce School of Medicine, Konuralp, Duzce, 81620, Turkey (e-mail: periarbak@hotmail.com) biological markers of oxidative stress related to DE exposure, but prospective controlled clinical studies are necessary to clarify the possible association between concentrations of MDA and nitrite+nitrate and pulmonary diseases related to DE exposure. (J Occup Health 2004; 46: 281-288)

Does air pollution play a role in infertility?: a systematic review

“…One possible reason for this alteration appears to be exposure to toxic substances in the environment, and notably ambient air pollution [54][55][56]. It has indeed been demonstrated that professions exposed to exhaust, such as toll collectors working on expressways, more frequently develop sperm abnormalities [16,57].…”

“…They can be transformed by CYP450 dihydro-dehydrogenase, which produces quinone redox, catalyzing electron transfer reactions and thus stimulating ROS production [93,[16][17][18].…”

“…Diesel exhaust particles contain for example substances with estrogenic, antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic activities that can affect gonadal steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. (2) Generation of oxidative stress: NO 2 , O 3 or PM (through the heavy metals and PAHs they contain) can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) [16][17][18]. These cause alterations in DNA, proteins and membrane lipids [19,20].…”

Intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in highway toll collectors

“…These results are in agreement with those of Kü nzli et al, 14 who demonstrated an association between air pollution and IMT. In the same area of Turkey (Kaynaslı, Golyaka-Duzce), Arbak et al 15 reported marked air pollution, of which exhaust particles were an important part. 15 Increased blood glucose, total cholesterol, lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol, decreased highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased body mass index are associated with increased IMT.…”

Annual Changes in Forced Expiratory Flows in Toll Collectors: Results from a Four Years Observation

“…A few studies focused on manual tollbooth collectors reported acute irritative symptoms due to nasal and throat inflammation, nausea, headache and lower peak expiratory flow rates 7,8) .…”