Impact of Petroleum Exposure on Some Hematological Indices, Interleukin-6, and Inflammatory Markers of Workers at Petroleum Stations in Basra City

Inflammatory and proapoptotic effects of inhaling gasoline fumes on the lung and ameliorative effects of fenugreek seeds

Impacts of inhaling gasoline fumes on the lungs of adult male rats and the alleviating role of fenugreek seeds were evaluated. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups, unexposed control and fenugreek groups, gasoline exposed groups for 6 h/6 day/week for 10 weeks with and without supplementation of fenugreek seed powder in food (5% w/w). Rats exposed to gasoline fumes showed significant elevation in lung tumor necrosis factor-α, as an inflammatory marker, and the proapoptotic marker Bax with a reduction in the antiapoptotic marker Bcl2. Moreover, remarkable elevations in transforming growth factor-β1, collagen and hydroxyproline were observed as fibrotic markers. Lung oxidative stress markers (hydrogen peroxides, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyl) increased significantly along with marked decrease in total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels. Additionally, marked decreases in white and red blood cell counts, hemoglobin content, platelet count, accompanied by elevated red cell distribution width percentage were observed, supporting the inflammatory status. Histopathological changes represented by hematoxylin&eosin, immunohistochemistry staining for Bax&Bcl2, and transmission electron microscopy supported the negative impacts of gasoline fumes compared to the control group. Fenugreek seeds supplementation with gasoline exposure showed pronounced alleviation of lung biochemical and histopathological changes compared to the gasoline-exposed group.

Short-term and residential exposure to air pollution: Associations with inflammatory biomarker levels in adults living in northern France

INTRODUCTION

Air pollution has an impact on health, and low-grade inflammation might be one of the underlying mechanisms. The objective of the present study of adults from northern France was to assess the associations between short-term and residential exposure to air pollution and levels of various inflammatory biomarkers.

METHODS

The cross-sectional Enquête Littoral Souffle Air Biologie Environnement (ELISABET) study was conducted from 2011 to 2013 in the Lille and Dunkirk urban areas of northern France. Here, we evaluated the associations between PM₁₀, NO₂ and O₃ exposure (on the day of the blood sample collection and on the day before, and the mean annual residential level) and levels of the inflammatory biomarkers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-22, and tumor necrosis factor α.

RESULTS

We assessed 3074 participants for the association with hsCRP and a subsample of 982 non-smokers from Lille for the association with plasma cytokine levels. A 10 μg/m³ increment in PM₁₀ and NO₂ levels on the day of sample collection and on the day before was associated with a higher hsCRP concentration (3.43% [0.68; 6.25] and 1.75% [-1.96; 5.61], respectively, whereas a 10 μg/m³ increment in O₃ was associated with lower hsCRP concentration (-1.2% [-3.95; 1.64]). The associations between mean annual exposure and the hsCRP level were not significant. Likewise, the associations between exposure and plasma cytokine levels were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Short-term exposure to air pollution was associated with higher serum hsCRP levels in adult residents of two urban areas in northern France. Our results suggest that along with other factors, low-grade inflammation might explain the harmful effects of air pollution on health.

Pulmonary Function Tests of Workers at the State Company of Petrochemicals Factory in Basrah City, South of Iraq

BACKGROUND: Workers who are exposed to chemical and physical elements at work on a regular or continuous basis are more likely to acquire various occupational diseases, particularly respiratory problems. AIM: This observational study was carried out to determine the impact of exposure to specific industrial pollutants, such as petroleum products, on the pulmonary function tests of workers at a facility in Iraq’s south. METHODS: The study involved two groups of people: Exposed workers (G1) and non-exposed workers (G2) (G2). Asthmatics, healthy smokers, and healthy nonsmokers were split into three subgroups. All individuals had their pulmonary function tests (PFTs) performed using a medical spirometer. RESULTS: There were substantial decreases (p0.05) in PFTs of exposed workers, as well as a significant rise in estimated lung age. The effects of exposure were most noticeable in asthmatics and healthy smokers, while healthy nonsmokers were unaffected. In addition, the exposed group had a considerably higher percentage of obstructive and mixed respiratory illnesses. CONCLUSION: Workplace exposure to some industrial compounds, such as petrochemical products, may impair PFTs, with the impairment being more pronounced in the presence of other risk factors such as smoking or asthma. Asthmatics and smokers should be cautioned against working in industrial settings for more than five years. In general, all workers should be aware of the risks of working at such a location for more than 5 years, and all workers should adhere to occupational safety regulations.

Extensive Study on Hematological, Immunological, Inflammatory Markers, and Biochemical Profile to Identify the Risk Factors in COVID-19 Patients

Background

Tissue damage caused by COVID-19 could be detected by several clinical indicators including hematological, immunological, biochemical, and inflammatory markers. This study was to detect these clinical parameters to reveal the correlation between the factors and their roles in the development of COVID-19, to explore the hazard factors in severe cases.

Materials and Methods

A total of 200 participants of both sexes were included in the study, with an age range of (25–72) years, categorized into three main groups: 50 healthy individuals, 62 mild infected patients, and 88 severe infected patients with pneumonia. Different hematological and clinical parameters were included in the analysis (Basrah city, Iraq). Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), ferritin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed for all participants using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The liver, renal, and cardiac functions were assessed by clinical chemistry testing.

Results

COVID-19 patients had leukocytosis, with an increased number of neutrophils and a decreased lymphocyte count, according to our findings. In regard to inflammatory parameters, both ESR and hs-CRP showed significant differences between the two groups, whereas IL-6 was significantly higher in the total severe group compared to the other two groups. Biochemical results revealed that each lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) had significant changes in the total severe group. Among pneumonic with an O2 requirement and pneumonic without an O2 requirement, there were significant differences in immunological and inflammatory markers (p > 0.05). The neutrophils-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) was highly elevated in severe who required O2. Moreover, IL-6, lymphocytes, and neutrophils were possible risk factors for COVID-19 infection, with the strongest influence of IL-6 with a high odds ratio (OR: 24.138, 95% CI: 8.437–30.65, p < 0.01). Furthermore, there were significant correlations among the indicators.

Conclusion

Each of IL-6, lymphocytes, and neutrophils might represent major factors in the severity of COVID-19 and IL-6 plays the main role in inducing the inflammatory and pathophysiology process that is known as the cytokine storm.