Assessment of potential cardiovascular risk in trichloroethylene exposure by serum methylated arginine levels

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widely used solvent in industrial applications and has toxic effects on various systems. Methylated arginine amino acids (eg asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA)) cause the development of cardiovascular disease by inhibiting NO synthesis, which is considered to be heart-protector. The aim of this study is to determine the risk of cardiovascular diseases in TCE exposure by methylated arginine biomarkers. About 98 controls and 100 TCE-exposed male subjects were included in the study. Trichloroacetic acid (urinary metabolite of TCE), arginine, homoarginine, citrulline ADMA, SDMA, and N-monomethyl L-arginine (L-NMMA) levels were found significantly higher than control group (p < 0.001). The strongest correlation was found between ADMA and Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) level (r = 0.453, p < 0.01). Long-term TCE exposure, may be an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases by increasing methylated arginine levels.

The relationship between impaired lung functions and cytokine levels in formaldehyde exposure

Exposure to formaldehyde (FA) causes detrimental effects on respiratory system. Inflammation is one of the mechanisms responsible for these effects. Our aim is to demonstrate the possible effect of formaldehyde on inflammation biomarkers and pulmonary function tests. One hundred ninety-eight male workers in a fiber production factory are included. Eighty two of them were not exposed to FA. Thirty nine workers were exposed to FA for 4 h or more in a work shift and 77 workers were exposed less than 4 h. Statistically significant differences were found for FA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels and pulmonary function test parameters (FEV1 and FVC) between no exposure and exposure groups. The results revealed a correlation between decrement in pulmonary function tests and an increase in cytokine levels concordant with the duration of FA exposure. The results may emphasize that FA exposure shows its effect on pulmonary system via inflammatory pathways.