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Salles FJ, Diaz-Quijano FA, Luz MS, de Almeida GA, Akiba N, de Oliveira AP, Elias ADC, Rogero MM, Olympio KPK. Low levels of potentially toxic elements in workers are associated with self-reported health outcomes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174510. [PMID: 38977094 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to toxic elements can adversely affect health. The current study evaluated blood concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTE) including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn in formal and informal workers. Additionally, the study investigated the associations between blood PTE concentrations and reported health outcomes in the study population. The exposed group included women engaged in informal jewelry welding within their homes in Limeira, São Paulo state, Brazil (n = 36) and men who worked at a steel company in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil (n = 22). The control group comprised residents of the same neighborhoods as the workers but without occupational exposure to chemicals (n = 28 in Limeira; n = 27 in Volta Redonda). Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (TQ ICP-MS) was used to determine PTE concentrations in blood samples. Glycemia, insulin, and lipid profile tests were performed. All participants completed questionnaires on household risk and reported morbidity. The blood concentrations of Cd, As, and Pb, as well as glycemia, were higher in informal workers than in control subjects. No significant differences were observed between formal workers and control subjects. A robust Poisson regression model, adjusted for variables suggested by a Directed Acyclic Graph, disclosed associations of blood lead and arsenic concentrations with the prevalence of neurological manifestations in Limeira. Blood lead levels > 2.6 μg dL-1 were associated with 2.3 times the prevalence of self-reported neurological manifestations (95 % CI: 1.17-4.58; p = 0.02) than lower blood lead concentrations. Furthermore, a positive association between blood cadmium concentrations and glycemia was observed. Informal occupational exposure to these elements may indicate an increased risk of developing diseases. Monitoring exposure and implementing interventions to reduce PTE exposure in the work environment represent significant steps toward prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Junqueira Salles
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira Cesar, CEP 01246-904 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil; The Human Exposome Research Group/ Expossoma e Saúde do Trabalhador - eXsat, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, SP, 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Fredi Alexander Diaz-Quijano
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology - Laboratório de Inferência Causal em Epidemiologia (LINCE-USP), Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira Cesar, CEP 01246-904, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Maciel Santos Luz
- Laboratory of Metallurgical Process, Institute for Technological Research, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Gilmar Alves de Almeida
- Laboratory of Metallurgical Process, Institute for Technological Research, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Naomi Akiba
- Laboratory of Metallurgical Process, Institute for Technological Research, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Aline de Carvalho Elias
- Laboratory of Metallurgical Process, Institute for Technological Research, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Macedo Rogero
- Nutritional Genomics and Inflammation Laboratory, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, 01246-904 São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira Cesar, CEP 01246-904 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil; The Human Exposome Research Group/ Expossoma e Saúde do Trabalhador - eXsat, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, SP, 01246-000, Brazil.
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Salles FJ, Frydas IS, Papaioannou N, Schultz DR, Luz MS, Rogero MM, Sarigiannis DA, Olympio KPK. Occupational exposure to potentially toxic elements alters gene expression profiles in formal and informal Brazilian workers. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116835. [PMID: 37543127 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Chemical elements, such as toxic metals, have previously demonstrated their ability to alter gene expression in humans and other species. In this study, microarray analysis was used to compare the gene expression profiles of different occupational exposure populations: a) informal workers who perform soldering of jewelry inside their houses (n = 22) in São Paulo (SP) State; and b) formal workers from a steel company (n = 10) in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) state, Brazil. Control participants were recruited from the same neighborhoods without occupational chemical exposure (n = 19 in SP and n = 8 in RJ). A total of 68 blood samples were collected and RNA was extracted and hybridized using an Agilent microarray platform. Data pre-processing, statistical and pathway analysis were performed using GeneSpring software. Different expression was detected by fold-change analysis resulting in 16 up- and 33 down-regulated genes in informal workers compared to the control group. Pathway analysis revealed genes enriched in MAPK, Toll-like receptor, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways, involved in inflammatory and immune responses. In formal workers, 20 up- and 50 down-regulated genes were found related to antimicrobial peptides, defensins, neutrophil degranulation, Fc-gamma receptor-dependent phagocytosis, and pathways associated with atherosclerosis development, which is one of the main factors involved in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. The gene IFI27 was the only one commonly differentially expressed between informal and formal workers and is known to be associated with various types of cancer. In conclusion, differences in gene expression related to occupational exposure are mainly associated with inflammation and immune response. Previous research has identified a link between inflammation and immune responses and the development of chronic diseases, suggesting that prolonged occupational exposures to potentially toxic elements in Brazilian metal workers could lead to negative health outcomes. Further analysis should be carried out to investigate its direct effects and to validate causal associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Junqueira Salles
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira Cesar, CEP 01246-904, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; The Human Exposome Research Group/ Expossoma e Saúde do Trabalhador - eXsat, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, Sao Paulo, SP, 01246-000, Brazil.
| | - Ilias S Frydas
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece; HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece.
| | - Nafsika Papaioannou
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece; HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece.
| | - Dayna R Schultz
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece; HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece.
| | - Maciel Santos Luz
- Laboratory of Metallurgical Process, Institute for Technological Research, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Marcelo Macedo Rogero
- Nutritional Genomics and Inflammation Laboratory, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, 01246-904 São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Dimosthenis A Sarigiannis
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece; HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Balkan Center, Bldg. B, 10th Km Thessaloniki-Thermi Road, 57001, Greece; National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece; Environmental Health Engineering, Science, Technology and Society Department, School for Advanced Study (IUSS), Pavia, Italy.
| | - Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira Cesar, CEP 01246-904, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; The Human Exposome Research Group/ Expossoma e Saúde do Trabalhador - eXsat, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, Sao Paulo, SP, 01246-000, Brazil.
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Araujo ANM, Leroux IN, Furtado DZS, Ferreira APSDS, Batista BL, Silva HDT, Handakas E, Assunção NA, Olympio KPK. Integration of proteomic and metabolomic analyses: New insights for mapping informal workers exposed to potentially toxic elements. Front Public Health 2023; 10:899638. [PMID: 36761330 PMCID: PMC9905639 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.899638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Occupational exposure to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a concerning reality of informal workers engaged in the jewelry production chain that can lead to adverse health effects. In this study, untargeted proteomic and metabolomic analyses were employed to assess the impact of these exposures on informal workers' exposome in Limeira city, São Paulo state, Brazil. PTE levels (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, and Pb) were determined in blood, proteomic analyses were performed for saliva samples (n = 26), and metabolomic analyses in plasma (n = 145) using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometry. Blood PTE levels of workers, controls, and their family members were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). High concentration levels of Sn and Cu were detected in welders' blood (p < 0.001). Statistical analyses were performed using MetaboAnalyst 4.0. The results showed that 26 proteins were upregulated, and 14 proteins downregulated on the welder group, and thirty of these proteins were also correlated with blood Pb, Cu, Sb, and Sn blood levels in the welder group (p < 0.05). Using gene ontology analysis of these 40 proteins revealed the biological processes related to the upregulated proteins were translational initiation, SRP-dependent co-translational protein targeting to membrane, and viral transcription. A Metabolome-Wide Association Study (MWAS) was performed to search for associations between blood metabolites and exposure groups. A pathway enrichment analysis of significant features from the MWAS was then conducted with Mummichog. A total of 73 metabolomic compounds and 40 proteins up or down-regulated in welders were used to perform a multi-omics analysis, disclosing seven metabolic pathways potentially disturbed by the informal work: valine leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, valine leucine and isoleucine degradation, arginine and proline metabolism, ABC transporters, central carbon metabolism in cancer, arachidonic acid metabolism and cysteine and methionine metabolism. The majority of the proteins found to be statistically up or downregulated in welders also correlated with at least one blood PTE level, providing insights into the biological responses to PTE exposures in the informal work exposure scenario. These findings shed new light on the effects of occupational activity on workers' exposome, underscoring the harmful effects of PTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alda Neis Miranda Araujo
- Graduate Program in Translational Medicine, Paulista School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabelle Nogueira Leroux
- School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danielle Zildeana Sousa Furtado
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Environmental, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil,Technology School of Teresina, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno Lemos Batista
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heron Dominguez Torres Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Environmental, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Evangelos Handakas
- Department of Medicine, Computation and Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nilson Antônio Assunção
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Environmental, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil,Nilson Antônio Assunção ✉
| | - Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio
- School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio ✉
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