scholarly journals Analysis of Benzene Exposure in Gas Station Workers Using Trans,Trans-Muconic Acid

Author(s):  
Barbara Rodrigues Geraldino ◽  
Rafaella Ferreira Nascimento Nunes ◽  
Juliana Barroso Gomes ◽  
Isabela Giardini ◽  
Paula Vieira Baptista da Silva ◽  
...  

In Brazil, gas station workers are occupationally exposed to the benzene present in gasoline. Brazilian law indicates the use of trans,trans-muconic acid(t,t-MA) as a biomarker of benzene exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of exposure to benzene in gas station workers, through the quantification of t,t-MA present in urine. A total number of 269 gas station workers divided into 179 filling station attendants exposed by inhalation and dermal route and 90 convenience store workers exposed only by inhalation were included. A control group was formed by 100 office workers, without occupational exposure to benzene. The urinary levels of t,t-MA were evaluated by HPLC with a UV detector. Gas station workers showed higher mean values of t,t-MA (0.204 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.170–0.237) than office workers (0.126 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.0817–0.1693). T,t-MA levels were higher in convenience store workers exposed to gasoline only by inhalation (0.221 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.160–0.282), than in those exposed to gasoline by inhalation and dermal route—filling station attendants (0.195 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.155–0.235). Gas station workers with a higher level of t,t-MA had epistaxis. T,t-MA values were higher in the Downtown (0.15 mg/g creatinine) region’s workers than in the more affluent South Zone region’s workers (0.07 mg/g creatinine). Smoking habits influenced the urinary t,t-MA values, while the frequency of consumption of industrialized and frozen foods showed no influence.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Barbara R. Geraldino ◽  
Rafaella F. N. Nunes ◽  
Juliana B. Gomes ◽  
Katia S. da Poça ◽  
Isabela Giardini ◽  
...  

The main volatile organic compounds found at gasoline stations are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX). They cause several harmful effects on human health. Regulatory Norm 7 (1978) provides that, in Brazil, biological monitoring of toluene and xylene is carried out by measuring the urinary metabolites hippuric acid (HA) and methylhippuric acid (MHA), respectively. The objective of this study was to assess the exposure to toluene and xylene and to identify related signs and symptoms in gasoline station workers. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with workers occupationally exposed to fuels. These gasoline station workers were divided into two groups: 94 workers exposed mainly by inhalation (convenience store workers (CSWs)) and 181 workers exposed by inhalation and dermal route (filling station attendants (FSAs)). A comparison group was formed by 119 workers not occupationally exposed to fuels (office workers (OWs)). Workers exposed to fuels had higher average levels of these exposure biomarkers (HA and MHA), which were also higher in convenience store workers than in filling station attendants. In addition, individuals exposed to the solvents present in gasoline had altered mood/depression, cramps, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, irritability/nervousness, weakness, weight loss, and other symptoms more frequently and had higher urinary levels of HA and MHA compared to the comparison group. Gasoline station workers showed high levels of HA and MHA, reflecting high occupational exposure to the solvents toluene and xylene present in gasoline, demonstrating that changes in the current legislation and in the work environment are necessary to ensure better health protection for these workers.


Author(s):  
Ashraf Albrakati

Tramadol, a broadly in recent years, is an effective analgesic agent for the treatment of moderate to acute pain. Its metabolites are excreted by the kidney which may cause nephrotoxicity. Moringa oleifera leaves are commonly used to provide herbal and plant-derived medicinal products especially in developing nations. The present study was carried out to determine the biochemical and histopathological changes in the kidney of tramadol-treated albino mice and to evaluate the possible protective role of Moringa oleifera leaves against tramadol-induced nephrotoxicity. Twenty adult albino mice were divided into four groups. Control group (group i) received daily intraperitoneal injection of normal saline only, group ii received oral dose of Moringa oleifera leaves extract (20 mg/kg/bw) for three weeks, group iii received daily intraperitoneal dose of tramadol (0.3 mg/kg/bw) for the same period, group iv, received daily oral dose of Moringa oleifera leaves extract, (20 mg/kg/bw) three hours before injecting intraperitoneal dose of tramadol (0.3 mg/kg/bw), for the same period. Blood samples were withdrawn at the end of the experiment for kidney function tests and specimens from the kidney were processed for histological study. No significant differences in the mean values of the kidney function tests were noticed between Moringa oleifera group and control group. However, there was highly significant increase in the mean values of serum, urea and creatinine in tramadol-treated group as compared to the control group. Although tramadol + Moringa oleifera group revealed significant difference in the mean values of urea and creatinine when compared with tramadol-treated group. So, Moringa oleifera leaves extract have been shown to attenuate the renal dysfunction, improve the renal architecture, with nearly normalization of serum urea and creatinine levels which indicate improvement of renal function. In conclusion, in the light of biochemical results and histological findings, co-administration of Moringa oleifera leaves lessened the negative effects of tramadol-induced nephrotoxicity; possibly by its antioxidant action. Further investigation of these promising protective effects of Moringa oleifera leaves against tramadol-induced renal injury may have considerable impact on developing an adjunct therapy aiming to improve the therapeutic index of some nephrotoxic drugs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652098781
Author(s):  
Mathias Paiva ◽  
Lars Blønd ◽  
Per Hölmich ◽  
Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod

Background: Tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is often used as a measure of lateralization of the TT and is important for surgical planning. Purpose: To investigate if increased TT-TG distance measured on axial magnetic resonance images is due to lateralization of the TT or medialization of the TG. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 knees (28 normal [NK], 28 with trochlear dysplasia [TD], and 28 with patellar dislocation without TD [PD]) were examined. The medial border of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was chosen as the central anatomic landmark. The distance from the TT to PCL (TT-PCL) was measured to examine the lateralization of the TT. The distance from the TG to the PCL (TG-PCL) was measured to examine the medialization of the TG. Between-group differences were investigated by use of 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean values for TT-TG distance were 8.7 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 12.1 ± 6.0 mm for PD, and 16.7 ± 4.3 mm in the TD group ( P < .01). The mean values for TT-PCL distance were 18.5 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 18.5 ± 4.5 mm for PD, and 21.2 ± 4.2 mm in the TD group ( P = .03). The mean values for TG-PCL distance were 9.6 ± 3.0 mm for NK, 7.1 ± 3.4 mm for PD, and 5.1 ± 3.3 mm in the dysplastic group ( P < .01). Conclusion: The present results indicate that increased TT-TG distance is due to medialization of the TG and not lateralization of the TT. Knees with TD had increased TT-TG distance compared with the knees of the control group and the knees with PD. The TT-PCL distance did not differ significantly between groups, whereas the TG-PCL distance declined with increased TT-TG.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Xia ◽  
Kangcheng Chen ◽  
Yingnan Lv ◽  
Damin Huang ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
...  

Objectives: Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is an organic derivative of manganese (Mn) and is used as an antiknock agent and octane enhancer in gasoline. In this article, we tested the oxidative stress and heat stress protein (Hsp) 70 levels of gasoline station attendants to explore potential plasma biomarkers. Furthermore, the dose–response relationship was also identified. Methods: A total of 144 workers, including 96 petrol fillers and 48 cashiers, participated in the study. Ambient concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) and Mn were monitored at nine filling stations. During the measuring process, the individual cumulative exposure index was calculated. Plasma oxidative stress and Hsp70 levels were also analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The BTEX time-weighted average in office areas was significantly lower than in refuelling areas ( p < 0.05). In refuelling areas, the content of Mn ranged from 6.44 μg/m3 to 127.34 μg/m3, which was much higher than that in office areas (3.16–7.22 μg/m3; p < 0.05). Exposed workers had significantly different plasma oxidative stress indicators compared with the control group, respectively: superoxide dismutase (SOD), 39.18 ± 6.05 U/mL versus 52.84 ± 3.87 U/mL; glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), 186.07 ± 15.63 U versus 194.38 ± 10.42 U; and malondialdehyde (MDA), 1.68 ± 0.52 nmol/L versus 1.43 ± 0.64 nmol/L (in all comparisons, p < 0.05). Plasma Hsp70 level in the exposed group (2.77 ± 0.64 ng/mL) was significantly higher than in the control group (2.32 ± 0.87 ng/mL; p < 0.05). Furthermore, Hsp70 levels were inversely correlated with the activities of SOD ( r = −0.305) and GSH-Px ( r = −0.302) in the exposed group ( p < 0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation ( r = 0.653) was found between plasma Hsp70 levels and plasma MDA levels ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to MMT-containing gasoline may result in increasing reactive oxygen stress among filling station attendants. Plasma Hsp70 levels could be used as a sensitive responsive biomarker for exposed workers.


1990 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 377-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Vyskočil ◽  
S. Emminger ◽  
J. Tejral ◽  
Z. Fiala ◽  
E. Ettlerova ◽  
...  

1 Biochemical markers of kidney damage were examined in 16 female workers chronically exposed to tetrachlorethylene (TCE) in five dry-cleaning shops. The results were compared with those obtained in 13 females non-occupationally exposed to organic solvents. 2 The intensity of exposure was monitored by personal environmental monitoring. The time-weighed average exposure to TCE amounted to 157 mg m-3 (range 9-799 mg m-3). A satisfactory agreement was found between the concentration of TCE in ambient air sampled with the charcoal tube method and with a passive dosimeter. 3 The urinary excretion of lysozyme was increased in the exposed group. No difference was found in the urinary excretion of albumin, β2-microglobulin, lactate dehydrogenase, total proteins or glucose. The prevalence of abnormal values of biochemical parameters in the exposed group did not differ from that observed in the control group. No correlation was found between the level of TCE exposure and biochemical parameters. 4 The present study suggests that chronic exposure to TCE does not lead to renal damage.


2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irena Kafeđiska ◽  
Dejan Spasovski ◽  
Todor Gruev ◽  
Mane Grličkov ◽  
Kočo Cakalaroski ◽  
...  

Association Between Osteoarticular Scores and Acute Phase Reactant Levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis The aim of this prospective control study was a quantitative evaluation of the activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in certain time intervals, using articular indexes (set of 28 sensitive and 28 swollen joints), laboratory parameters (Hb, Hct, Er, Le and Plt) and acute phase reactants (ESR, RF, CRP); to determine which of the acute phase reactants is the most useful biochemical marker for the evaluation of disease activity in RA; to quantify the therapeutical and laboratory differences in certain time intervals in the group with and without immunomodulatory therapy with Methotrexate. Sixty patients with RA were included, 27 of who were treated with non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Methotrexate (MTX). The control group consisted of 33 patients treated only with NSAIDs because of irregular controls. In the first group of patients the disease activity was estimated at four time intervals, and in the control group of patients at three time intervals following the scores of the articular indexes, blood cell counts, ESR and CRP in every patient. In the first group of patients decreased activity of RA was found upon every following control with a consecutive decrease in mean values of the scores of articular indexes with statistically significant differences at the four time intervals. Considering laboratory parameters, there were statistically significant differences in the mean values of Hb, Er, Plt, ESR, (p=0.0462, p=0.0076, p= 0.0058, p= 0.0003). Mean values of CRP did not show statistically significant differences, but the number of patients who were CRP negative increased (there were great standard deviations). In the group of patients treated only with NSAIDs, there were statistically significant differences in the mean values of the scores of articular indexes with an increse at every following control (in favour of progression of the disease). There were no statistically significant differences considering blood cell counts, ESR and CRP (in favour of permanently active disease). In conclusion, CRP is the most useful marker for the prospective follow-up of patients with RA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7178
Author(s):  
Višnja Mihajlović ◽  
Nenad Grba ◽  
Jan Suđi ◽  
Diane Eichert ◽  
Smilja Krajinović ◽  
...  

This work presents the results of the first Serbian monitoring campaign performed to assess the occupational exposure of petrochemical industry workers to benzene (B), toluene (T), ethylbenzene (E), and xylene (X), known collectively as BTEX. The following urinary biomarkers were investigated: phenol, hippuric acid, o-Cresol, p-Cresol, and creatinine. BTEX compounds were collected in 2014 using Casella passive samplers. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to put in evidence the correlation between the BTEX measured in air and the concentration of urinary biomarkers. While the results indicate an elevated presence of benzene in the air in the working environment studied that surpasses the national and European Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL), the levels of the remaining (TEX) parameters measured were below the OEL. The high relative standard deviations (RSD) for the concentrations of each BTEX compound (68–161 mg m−3) point toward an intensive occupational exposure to BTEX. This was confirmed by relevant urine biomarkers, particularly by the mean values of phenol, which were ten and fourteen times higher than the ones found in the control group (14–12 mg g−1 of creatinine). On average, workers are at a higher risk of developing cancer (6.1 × 10−3), with risk levels exceeding the US EPA limits. Benzene levels should therefore be maintained under tight controls and monitored via proper urinary biomarkers.


2021 ◽  
pp. 16-18
Author(s):  
Nishanth Kumar ◽  
Malathi R D ◽  
Ramadevi M

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of multifactorial origin characterized by hyperglycemia and disturbances of glucose , fat and protein metabolism. Hypomagnesemia is been associated with chronic and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Magnesium deciency in diabetes is known to be associated with increased risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications. The aim of this study is to estimate fasting plasma glucose and serum magnesium levels and to assess the correlation of hypomagnesemia with abnormal fasting plasma glucose values. Material and Methods: The study was done at Government Medical College, Nizamabad. 80 subjects were recruited out of whom 40 apparently normal persons were taken as control group and the second group of 40 patients with known history of diabetes. The fasting plasma glucose(FPG) was estimated by GOD-POD method and serum Magnesium(Mg) levels were estimated using the Chemchek Mg kit which is based on Xylidyl Blue with ACTS method. Results :The mean values of fasting plasma glucose was 87.1 mg/dL in non diabetics when compared to 159.4 mg/dL in diabetics while Serum magnesium levels in control subjects had a mean value of 2.19mg/dLand 1.8mg/dLin diabetics. The data was analysed and found to be statistically signicant with a negative correlation between plasma magnesium and fasting blood glucose. Conclusion: There is signicant hypomagnesaemia which correlates increased fasting plasma glucose values in diabetics when compared to non diabetics and therefore assessing the serum magnesium levels may help in reducing risk of complications.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1957 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-97
Author(s):  
Jo-Anne E. Richards ◽  
Richard B. Goldbloom ◽  
Ronald L. Denton

Forty-three full-term infants have been studied with respect to hemolysis of erythrocytes in solutions of hydrogen peroxide and concentrations of bilirubin in the serum. Mean values for concentration of bilirubin in the serum and percentage of hemolysis followed similar patterns in the first few days of life. However, statistical analysis of the data in individual cases showed no significant correlation between the degree of hemolysis in solutions of hydrogen peroxide and the concentrations of bilirubin in the serum. Administration of vitamin E prevented an increase in hemolysis of erythrocytes in solutions of hydrogen peroxide but failed to produce any significant change in concentrations of bilirubin as compared with the control group. The evidence suggests that the relative deficiency of vitamin E which exists in most newborn infants does not play a part in the causation or maintenance of physiologic hyperbilirubinemia. The clinical significance of increased hemolysis of the erythrocytes of the newborn infant in solutions of hydrogen peroxide remains a mystery. Possible approaches to the clarification of this problem are suggested.


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