Altered serum levels of neuronal proteins and antibodies to them in occupational diseases of the nervous system.

Aclinical and immunological examination of men with occupational pathology, including vibration disease (VD), occupational sensorineural hearing loss (SHL), and chronic mercury intoxication (CMI), was carried out. The comparison group consisted of men comparable in age and total work experience. Serum concentrations of neurotrophins (S100ß, MBP, BDNF) and antibodies (ABs) to S100ß and MBP proteins were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An increase in the level of the S100ß protein was shown in CMI, VD, and a tendency for its increase was found in SHL. In parallel, an increase in AB to the S100ß protein in VD and SHL and a decrease in AB in CMI were noted. A comparative assessment of MBP levels indicated a pronounced increase in its serum concentrations in patients with CMI and VD versus the comparison group. At the same time, an increase in the level of serum ABs to MBP in individuals with VD and SHL, and a decrease in patients with CMI were noted. In patients with CMI, a significant decrease in the BDNF concentration was found, while in SHL and VD, no statistically significant differences were found in comparison with the comparison group. The results obtained confirm importance of assessing serum concentrations of neurotrophic proteins and ABs to them in the case of occupational damage to the nervous system caused by exposure to physical and chemical factors.

[Detection of disordered immune responses to the chronic effects of vinyl chloride in the organism (clinical and experimental study)].

This paper considers the features of disorders of immunity in chronic exposure to vinyl chloride at work and in experimental animals. It is shown that one of the earliest and most sensitive indicators of the formation of the resistance of the organism employed in the manufacture of vinyl chloride, are: IgM, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, autoantibodies to neurospecific proteins (S-100, Vd-Ca channels and DNA).

[Topical problems of occupational allergic diseases nowadays].

The article covers materials on occupational allergic diseases prevalence in variable economic branches of Baikal area, if compared to the values in Russian Federation in general. The authors defined major etiologic factors resulting in allergic diseases, demonstrated that immune suppression is a major concept in occupational skin and respiratory system diseases, revealed immune response peculiarities in accordance with acting occupational allergen type.

[Neuroimmunological mechanisms of development of occupational nervous system lesions].

One hundred and fifty fire liquidators, including 68 persons with consequences of acute intoxication with a complex of toxic substances, were examined over time. The development of occupational nervous system injuries was shown to be followed by systemic immunological disorders. Following 8 years, the patients with occupational neurointoxication were found to have impaired processes of lymphocytic activation (higher lymphocytes expressing CD25 and CD95) in the presence of significant immunosuppression. There was evidence for the involvement of autoimmune reactions in the formation of an immune response to a complex of toxic substances, as suggested by the high level of autoantibodies to nervous tissue antigens and dDNA. In addition to impaired immunoregulation, the established association between HLA antigens and the development of a disease also plays an important role in the development of toxic encephalopathy.

[Assessment of a carcinogenic risk to the population of Bratsk].

The paper provides data on the assessment of a carcinogenic risk to the population of Bratsk, a large industrial center. Long-term ambient air pollution with 3,4-benz(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, chromium, and other impurities causes the inadmissible level of a risk that has some differences for dwellers in some districts of the town. Clinical and immunological studies of an apparently healthy population revealed the tension of defensive immune mechanisms in the residents who were more exposed to pollution. Comparison of the level of breast cancer oncomarkers, neurospecific enolase in the sera of populations in the differently carcinogenic areas enables the level of man-made exposure to be considered as a significant risk factor.

[Immunologic aspects of ecologically related and occupational diseases in East Siberia].

The authors report on immune reactivity state in adults and children dwellers of industrial cities varying in level and traits of environmental pollution. The article demonstrates role and importance of immunologic, immunogenetic mechanisms in development of ecologically related and occupational diseases.