Serum Metabolites in Hand-Arm Vibration Exposed Workers

A Study on Nonvibration-Exposed Organs Correlated Indices as Diagnostic Biomarkers of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to explore the feasibility of using nonvibration-exposed organ-related indices as vibration-induced white finger (VWF) diagnostic biomarkers.

METHODS

Individuals were selected from a factory in China using the judgment sampling method. They were divided into control (con), non-VWF, and VWF groups according to the presence/absence of exposure to hand-transmitted vibration and VWF. Blood samples were collected for ELISA tests.

RESULTS

Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves was done on six indicators to assess their diagnostic sensitivity for VWF. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for insulin was 0.909 and was 0.923 for aspartate aminotransferase.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin and aspartate aminotransferase could be used as indices for the diagnosis of hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Metabolomics and proteomics in occupational medicine: a comprehensive systematic review

BACKGROUND

Occupational biomonitoring is essential for assessing health risks linked to workplace exposures. The use of 'omics' technologies, such as metabolomics and proteomics, has become crucial in detecting subtle biological alterations induced by occupational hazards, thereby opening novel avenues for biomarker discovery.

AIMS

This systematic review aims to evaluate the application of metabolomics and proteomics in occupational health.

METHODS

Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for original human studies that use metabolomics or proteomics to assess occupational exposure biomarkers. The risk of bias was assessed by adapting the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.

RESULTS

Of 2311 initially identified articles, 85 met the eligibility criteria. These studies were mainly conducted in China, Europe, and the United States of America, covering a wide range of occupational exposures. The findings revealed that metabolomics and proteomics approaches effectively identified biomarkers related to chemical, physical, biomechanical, and psychosocial hazards. Analytical methods varied, with mass spectrometry-based techniques emerging as the most prevalent. The risk of bias was generally low to moderate, with specific concerns about exposure measurement and confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrating metabolomics and proteomics in occupational health biomonitoring significantly advances our understanding of exposure effects and facilitates the development of personalized preventive interventions. However, challenges remain regarding the complexity of data analysis, biomarker specificity, and the translation of findings into preventive measures. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and biomarker validation across diverse populations to improve the reliability and applicability of occupational health interventions.

A Study on Vascular Regulators as Early Biomarkers of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Purposes of this study are to study the changes in expression of vascular regulators after vibration exposure and during the onset of vibration-induced white finger (VWF) and to screen for vascular regulatory factors that could be used as early biomarkers of HAVS.

METHODS

Using judgmental sampling from a Chinese factory, workers with VWF and hand-transmitted vibration exposure but without VWF were selected for research. Blood samples were taken from all subjects, and the levels of nine of the vascular regulators were measured using ELISA.

RESULTS

Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed on nine vascular regulators to assess their diagnostic sensitivity for VWF with the following area under the curve results: PGI 2 = 0.861, ANP = 0.840.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, PGI 2 and ANP exhibited the most potential for the early diagnosis of HAVS.

Exposure to hand-held vibrating tools and biomarkers of nerve injury in plasma: a population-based, observational study

OBJECTIVES

To analyse potential biomarkers for vibration-induced nerve damage in a population-based, observational study.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Malmö Diet Cancer Study (MDCS), Malmö, Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

In a subcohort of 3898 individuals (recruited 1991-1996) from MDCS (baseline examination in 28 449 individuals; collection of fasting blood samples in a cardiovascular subcohort of MDCS of 5540 subjects), neuropathy-relevant plasma biomarkers were analysed during follow-up after filling out questionnaires, including a question whether work involved hand-held vibrating tools, graded as 'not at all', 'some' or 'much'.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The neuropathy-relevant plasma biomarkers vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-D, VEGF receptor 2, galanin, galectin-3, HSP27, ß-nerve growth factor, caspase-3, caspase-8, transforming growth factor-α and tumour necrosis factor were analysed. Data were analysed by conventional statistics (Kruskal-Wallis test; post hoc test Mann-Whitney U test; Bonferroni correction for multiple testing) and in a subanalysis for galanin using two linear regression models (unadjusted and adjusted).

RESULTS

Among participants, 3361 of 3898 (86%) reported no work with hand-held vibrating tools, 351 of 3898 (9%) reported some and 186 of 3898 (5%) much work. There were more men and smokers in vibration-exposed groups. Galanin levels were higher after much vibration exposure (arbitrary units 5.16±0.71) compared with no vibration exposure (5.01±0.76; p=0.015) with no other observed differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher plasma levels of galanin, possibly related to magnitude, frequency, acceleration and duration, as well as to severity of symptoms of vibration exposure, may be found in individuals working with hand-held vibrating tools.

Blood biomarkers for vibration-induced white fingers. A case-comparison study

BACKGROUND

Vibration induced white fingers (VWF) is one form of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).

METHODS

Vibration exposed workers with RP and vibration exposed controls without RP participated. Blood samples were collected before and after cold challenge exposure (COP). The concentration of von Willebrand factor (vonWf), thrombomodulin (TM), serotonin (SER), endothelin-1 (ET₁ ), calcitonin gene-related peptide, or thromboxane A₂ was calculated. The diagnostic usefulness of the substances for ruling in the diagnosis of Raynaud's was evaluated.

RESULTS

The cases showed a significant lower concentration of vonWf before and after COP, a significant increase of ET₁  and a decrease of TM after COP. The diagnostic usefulness of vonWf showed a likelihood of defining a true case by 35%.

CONCLUSIONS

vonWf, TM, SER, or ET₁ are suggested biomarkers for VWF. Diagnostic evaluation of vonWf showed a likelihood of defining a true case by 35% in the diagnosis of RP related to vibration.