Occupational exposure to chromium may cause airway inflammation and bronchial asthma. In this study we investigated the effect of chromium on the respiratory tract of exposed and non-exposed electroplating workers using spirometry and analysis of induced sputum (IS), exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and nasal lavage fluid (NLF). In both groups spirometry was normal; chromium in induced sputum was higher in exposed workers (7.90 +/- 0.855 microg/L, vs 1.78 +/- 0.075 microg/L; p<0.001); no significant difference was found in induced sputum cellularity. Median nitrite concentration in EBC was significantly higher in exposed subjects (4.35 micromol/L, 5 degrees -95 degrees percentile: 1.88-10.13 vs 0.11 micromol/L, 5-95 percentile: 0-0.72) (p<0.001). IL-6 and TNF-alpha were not detectable in EBC. Median IL-6 concentration in nasal lavage fluid was higher in exposed workers (5.72 pg/ml, 5-95 percentile: 0-65.25 pg/ml vs 0.28 pg/ml, 5-95 percentile: 0-1.7 pg/ml) (p<0.01). No differences in Eosinophil Cationic Protein concentration were found. TNF-alpha was not detectable in NLF. Chromium in induced sputum correlated with nitrites in EBC. For the first time three non-invasive methods were used to assess changes in respiratory tract in workers exposed to chromium. The results suggest chromium exerts an inflammatory/irritative action on airways more than a mechanism mediated by a inflammatory pattern
Induced sputum, exhaled breath condensate and nasal lavage fluid in electroplating workers exposed to chromium
Murgia N.
;
2006
Abstract
Occupational exposure to chromium may cause airway inflammation and bronchial asthma. In this study we investigated the effect of chromium on the respiratory tract of exposed and non-exposed electroplating workers using spirometry and analysis of induced sputum (IS), exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and nasal lavage fluid (NLF). In both groups spirometry was normal; chromium in induced sputum was higher in exposed workers (7.90 +/- 0.855 microg/L, vs 1.78 +/- 0.075 microg/L; p<0.001); no significant difference was found in induced sputum cellularity. Median nitrite concentration in EBC was significantly higher in exposed subjects (4.35 micromol/L, 5 degrees -95 degrees percentile: 1.88-10.13 vs 0.11 micromol/L, 5-95 percentile: 0-0.72) (p<0.001). IL-6 and TNF-alpha were not detectable in EBC. Median IL-6 concentration in nasal lavage fluid was higher in exposed workers (5.72 pg/ml, 5-95 percentile: 0-65.25 pg/ml vs 0.28 pg/ml, 5-95 percentile: 0-1.7 pg/ml) (p<0.01). No differences in Eosinophil Cationic Protein concentration were found. TNF-alpha was not detectable in NLF. Chromium in induced sputum correlated with nitrites in EBC. For the first time three non-invasive methods were used to assess changes in respiratory tract in workers exposed to chromium. The results suggest chromium exerts an inflammatory/irritative action on airways more than a mechanism mediated by a inflammatory patternI documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
