Examination of Bronchial Reactivity in Workers Exposed to Microparticles PM2.5 and PM10 during Coal Surfacemining in the Bellaqevc Power Plants of Kosovo

The impact of air pollution with microparticles (PM2.5 and PM10) on the respiratory systems of workers engaged in thesurface mining of coal at the Bellaqevc power plants of Kosovo is studied in this paper. The parameters of lung functionare defined via body plethysmography. The resistance of the airways (Raw) was recorded, intrathoracic gas volume (ITGV) was measured, and the specific resistanceof the airways (SRaw) and specific conductance (SGaw) were calculated. The research was performed withintwo groups: a control group and experimental group. The control group consisted of 28 healthy people, whereas the experimental group consisted of 50 workers engaged in the surface mining of coal at the Bellaqevc power plants of Kosovo. The results obtained from this research indicated that the mean specific resistance (SRaw) was ​​significantly increased in the experimental group (p<0.01) compared to the control group (p>0.1). The study also found that smoking favors the adverse effects of air pollution caused by coalsurface mining at the Bellaqevc power plants (p<0.01). Measurements of the respiratory systems were made prior to and following provocation with histamine–aerosol (1 mg/ml) in the control and experimental groups. Changes between these two groups following this provocation with histamine–aerosol were found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). In order to cause a respiratory pathology from air pollution, it is required a lot of time, such pollution can permanently cause respiratory system disorders. These scientific findings suggest that the long-term exposure of workers to microparticles PM2.5 and PM10 during the processof surface mining coal at the Bellaqevc power plants of Kosovo poses a risk to their health by causing increased bronchial reactivity, bronchial asthma, orchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

MANIFESTATION OF BRONCHIAL REACTIVITY IN THE WORKERS EXPOSED TO VARIOUS GASES AT THE GASIFICATION DEPARTMENT OF THE POWER PLANTS OF KOSOVO

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of indoor air pollution on workers and the effects of discharged gases, such as CO, CO2, NO2, O3, SO2, NH3, and PM, on the manifestation of bronchial reactivity during the process of gasification at the power plants in Kastriot, Kosovo. Methods: Parameters of lung function were determined using body plethysmography. Airway resistance (Raw) and intrathoracic gas volume (ITGV) were measured; based on these values, specific airway resistance (SRaw) and specific airway conductance were calculated. Results: The study was performed in two groups: the control group and the experimental group. The control group consisted of 32 healthy people, whereas the experimental group consisted of 55 workers of the gasification department of the power plants in Kastriot, Kosovo. The results of this study indicated that the mean value of SRaw significantly increased in the experimental group (p<0.05) compared to the control group (p>0.1). This study also showed that smoking is in favor of the negative effects of air pollution at the premises of the gasification department (p<0.01). Measurements of the respiratory systems were made before and following provocation with histamine–aerosol (1 mg/ml) in the control and experimental groups. Changes between these two groups following this provocation with histamine–aerosol were found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusion: Although air pollution requires time to cause a respiratory pathology, it permanently affects the manifestation of bronchial reactivity. This finding suggests that the real situation of these workers exposed to air pollution during the process of gasification poses a serious risk to their health and particularly to normal respiratory function.

Comparison of Effect of Leukotriene Biosynthesis Blockers and Inhibitors of Phosphodiesterase Enzyme in Patients with Bronchial Hyperreactivity

AIM: Blocking effect of leukotriene biosynthesis–zileuton and blocking the effect of phosphodiesterase enzyme–diprophylline in the treatment of patients with bronchial asthma and bronchial increased reactivity, and tiotropium bromide as an antagonist of the muscarinic receptor studied in this work.METHODS: Parameters of the lung function are determined with Body plethysmography. The resistance of the airways (Raw) was registered and measured was intrathoracic gas volume (ITGV), and specific resistance (SRaw) was also calculated. For the research, administered was zileuton (tabl. 600 mg) and diprophylline (tabl. 150 mg).RESULTS: Two days after in-house administration of leukotriene biosynthesis blocker–zileuton (4 x 600 mg orally), on the day 3 initial values of patients measured and afterwards administered 1 tablet of zileuton, and again measured was Raw and ITGV, after 60, 90 and 120 min. and calculated was SRaw; (p < 0.01). Diprophylline administered 7 days at home in a dose of (2 x 150 mg orally), on the day 8 to same patients administered 1 tablet of diprophylline, and performed measurements of Raw, ITGV, after 60, 90 and 120 min, and calculated the SRaw (p < 0.05). Treatment of the control group with tiotropium bromide - antagonist of the muscarinic receptor (2 inh. x 0.18 mcg), is effective in removal of the increased bronchomotor tonus, by also causing the significant decrease of the resistance (Raw), respectively of the specific resistance (SRaw), (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Effect of zileuton in blocking of leukotriene biosynthesis is not immediate after oral administration, but the effect seen on the third day of cys-LTs’ inhibition, and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and A4 (LTA4) in patients with bronchial reactivity and bronchial asthma, which is expressed with a high significance, (p < 0.01). Blockage of phosphodiesterase enzyme–diprophylline decreases the bronchial reactivity, which is expressed with a moderate significance, (p < 0.05).