[Serum cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE ) and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) in copper mine miners potentially expose d to hydrogen sulfide]. / ß-syntaza cystationiny (CBS), γ-liaza cystationiny (CSE) i oksydaza cytochromu c (COX) w surowicy górników kopalni miedzi potencjalnie narazonych na emisje siarkowodoru.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate serum levels of the target enzyme for H2S toxicity--cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and enzymes involved in the synthesis of H2S--cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) in copper mine miners. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The initial and basic study was conducted respectively in 237 and 88 miners, working in 2 mining shafts: I--no H2S emissions recorded in the last 10 years (study group A) and II--H2S emissions occurred (study group B). A medical examination was performed and 10 ml of blood was collected from miners immediately after exiting the mine. RESULTS: There were no clinical or biochemical changes typical for H2S toxicity. Sulfhemoglobine was undetectable and there were no changes in the red-ox system. However, in group B, regulatory changes were found; a tendency to higher concentration of CBS and CSE, a higher activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) compared to group A (p<0.05) and a linear relationship between ACE and CSE (r=0.6927; p<0.001). It has been shown that cigarette smoking decreases COX (p<0.05), however, in miners working in shaft II, the decreased level of COX may result also from the presence of H2S in the gaseous emissions. CONCLUSIONS: COX concentration can be a sensitive indicator of exposure to H2S. The measurements of blood H2S concentrations carried out in workplaces should explain the cause of the changes observed in the COX, CBS and CSE activity.

Urinary leucine aminopeptidase 3 in population environmentally exposed to airborne arsenic.

INTRODUCTION: Environmental arsenic contamination is a major toxicological problem worldwide due to its carcinogenic and nephrotoxic potential. AIM: The purpose of this observational study was to determine the suspected association between urinary arsenic (uAs) and urinary leucine (or leucyl) aminopeptidase 3 (uLAP3) to evaluate uLAP3 as a candidate biomarker of exposure to airborne arsenic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 918 adults occupationally and/or environmentally exposed to airborne arsenic were enrolled in the study. Baseline information (age; sex; history of smoking; alcohol, fish and seafood consumption) was gathered. Total uAs concentrations [µg/L] of 918 subjects, as well as the sum of arsenic species (ΣiAs) in 259 subjects, were obtained. Urinary LAP3 was measured by an immune-enzymatic assay using an ELISA kit. Urinary creatinine concentration was assessed with the IB/lAB/1289 research protocol (version II, 2015-09-17). The values of uAs and uLAP3 were recalculated per unit of creatinine. The association between uAs and uLAP3 was assessed using a logistic regression model adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: The study identified a positive correlation between the logarithm of uAs and the logarithm of uLAP3 in the study population (r = 0.1737, p < 0.0000) and between urinary creatinine and uLAP3 concentration not adjusted for creatinine level (r = 0.1871, p < 0.001). In the logistic regression model, there was also an association between increased (≥15 µg/L) uAs and decreased (below the 25th quartile) uLAP3 [OR uLAP3 = 1.22 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.44, p < 0.02)]. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that urinary LAP3 may be a potential biomarker of arsenic exposure, which warrants further study.

Association between the Type of Workplace and Lung Function in Copper Miners.

The aim of the analysis was to retrospectively assess changes in lung function in copper miners depending on the type of workplace. In the groups of 225 operators, 188 welders, and 475 representatives of other jobs, spirometry was performed at the start of employment and subsequently after 10, 20, and 25 years of work. Spirometry Longitudinal Data Analysis software was used to estimate changes in group means for FEV1 and FVC. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess an association between workplace and lung function. Lung function assessed on the basis of calculation of longitudinal FEV1 (FVC) decline was similar in all studied groups. However, multiple linear regression model used in cross-sectional analysis revealed an association between workplace and lung function. In the group of welders, FEF75 was lower in comparison to operators and other miners as early as after 10 years of work. Simultaneously, in smoking welders, the FEV1/FVC ratio was lower than in nonsmokers (p < 0,05). The interactions between type of workplace and smoking (p < 0,05) in their effect on FVC, FEV1, PEF, and FEF50 were shown. Among underground working copper miners, the group of smoking welders is especially threatened by impairment of lung ventilatory function.