Research Information System
Clinica Chimica Acta, vol.336, no.1-2, pp.115-122, 2003 (SCI-Expanded)
Background: We previously demonstrated that apricot sulfurization workers are exposed to high concentrations of SO2, subsequently causing asthma-like syndrome. This study investigated the effects of SO2 exposure on serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, nitrite and nitrate levels to understand the mechanism of SO2-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma-like syndrome. Methods: We measured the serum levels of the cytokines, direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate obtained from 40 volunteer workers after an hour of exposure to SO2 and 23 healthy controls. Results: The concentrations of the cytokines, direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate were significantly (p<0.0001) higher in the workers than in the controls. The mean serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate were 430.60±397.03 pg/ml, 436.67±316.31 pg/ml, 752.11±394.95 pg/ml, 262.12±287.99 pg/ml, 7.75±3.34 μmol/l, 115.72±48.78 μmol/l and 107.97±46.19 μmol/l in the workers, while they were 9.83±3.12 pg/ml, <5 pg/ml, 7.49±1.27 pg/ml, 9.38±1.99 pg/ml, 2.17±0.77 μmol/l, 59.91±7.56 μmol/l and 57.74±7.20 μmol/l in the controls, respectively. Conclusion: These results show that TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and nitric oxide may play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchoconstriction in asthma-like syndrome due to the SO2 exposure. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.