Polymorphism of Glutathione S-transferase Genes and the Risk of Toxic Liver Damage in Petrochemical Workers

BACKGROUND

Exposure to numerous chemicals, including industrial ones, may result in liver damage. The body susceptibility to the environmental hazards largely depends on the activity of the enzymes in the xenobiotic detoxification system. Function abnormalities of such enzymes due to genetic variations would increase the risk of developing various diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the relationship between polymorphism in glutathione S-transferase genes (GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1) and the risk of toxic liver damage in a group of petrochemical workers.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 72 workers with toxic liver injury, 156 healthy workers, and 322 healthy individuals without history of occupational exposure to chemicals. Genotyping of the GSTP1 rs1695 gene polymorphism was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to perform genotyping of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes polymorphism.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in genotype frequencies of the GSTP1 rs1695 gene polymorphism among the groups studied. The distribution of Val/Val genotype of the GSTP1 rs1695 gene polymorphism had a higher incidence in healthy workers compared with patients with toxic liver damage (p=0.036). No significant association was found between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and toxic liver damage.

CONCLUSION

The GSTP1 rs1695 gene polymorphism can play a protective role in the development of toxic liver damage in petrochemical workers.

[Expression of Cell Cycle, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis Related Genes Chek1, Hmox1, Casp7 in Rat Liver Exposed to Carbon Tetrachloride]

Carbon tetrachloride is a well-studied hepatotropic poison. Animal models of exposure to carbon tetrachloride resemble acute liver damage in humans. This paper presents the study of the expression of genes related to cell cycle control, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in a model of carbon tetrachloride-induced toxic hepatitis in rats. White mongrel male rats were injected with a 50% oil solution of carbon tetrachloride at a dose of 0.125-4.000 g/kg (experimental group) or olive oil (control group). The animals were decapitated 24 and 72 h after the administration of carbon tetrachloride, and the qRT-PCR expression levels of the genes encoding hemoxygenase-1 (Hmox1), cell cycle checkpoint kinase-1 (Chek1), and caspase-7 (Casp7) in the liver were analyzed. The increase in the expression levels of Hmox1 and Chek1 after exposure was detected. These genes may either play a role in promoting pathological oxidative stress in the liver or be a part of a stress response. We have concluded that the major pathway of the liver damage in carbon tetrachloride exposed animals is necrosis rather than apoptosis.

Production and genetic risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among petrochemical industry workers

AIM

To study the production and genetic factors affecting the cardiovascular system (CVS) in the petrochemical industry workers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

There was carried out an assessment of the working conditions and the state of health of 860 workers of petrochemical plants males, including 548 apparatchiks (main group) and 312 fitters of instrumentation and automation (comparison group). The main risk factors with subsequent assessment of cardiovascular risk (SSR) on the scale SCORE (Sistematic COronary Risk Evaluation) were studied. The analysis of the frequency distribution of deletion polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 glutathione among the workers of the basic trades involving patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and practically healthy workers.

RESULTS

The development and progression of CVD in petrochemical production workers affects a complex working environment hazards and the labor process, corresponding, according to R2.2.2006-05, classes, working conditions 3.1-3.3 Labor intensity. The most common form of cardiovascular nosology was hypertonic disease (HD), identified in 46,9% of apparatchiks and 29,2% of fitters of instrumentation and automation. Determination of the relative risk etiological share of the working environment factors in the development of HD showed high degree of professional conditioning of the disease in a group of apparatchiks (RR=1,58, and EF=36,7%). Molecular genetic factor predisposing to the development of CVD, is the deletion of the GSTM1 gene. This genetic marker could be used as a predictor of individual risk criterion CVD.

CONCLUSION

A comprehensive assessment of working conditions of workers of petrochemical plants showed that the priority factors of occupational risk for apparatchiks are air pollution of the working area with harmful substances (class 3.1-3.2), noise (class 3.1) and labor intensity (class 3.1). It has been established that in the formation of cardiovascular diseases under the influence of production factors, genetic factors can participate.

[Peculiarities of air pollution in the production of continuous glass fiber]

With the use of a one-stage method we have carried out hygienic studies of the air of work area of the production of continuous glass fiber. There was revealed the emission of epichlorohydrin, formaldehyde, ethane acid, hydrochloride, spray of mineral petroleum oil, fine glass fiber dust in air of the work area. There was established the combined effect of hazardous substances of unidirectional action with the summation effect on the body. Hazardous substances containing in glass fiber sizers in combination with dust of glass fiber against the background of microtraumatization of the hand skin contribute to the development of occupational skin neoplasms. The studies became the basis of the development of preventive measures aimed at the reduction of risks of the impact of the chemical factor impact on workers.

[Analysis of associations of polymorphic loci of a tumor suppressor gene TP53 with malignant neoplasms in glass fiber manufacturing workers]

The purpose of the study was to determine the role of TP53 tumor suppressor gene polymorphisms in the occurrence of skin malignant neoplasms in glass fiber manufacturing workers. We carried out a comparative study of polymorphous loci Arg72Pro and dup16bp in TP53 gene in workers with skin cancer and hyperkeratosis (n = 68), occupied in continuous glass fiber manufacture, and in healthy workers (n = 52). The associations of both Pro and dup16 minor alleles of TP53 gene, and Arg/Pro-W/dup16 genotype combination with higher risks for skin oncologic diseases of occupational genesis have been revealed.