Benzene toxicity in shoemakers and role of vitamin A [as antioxidant]

The burden of liver disease in Egypt is exceptionally high. Unquestionably, additional factors contributing to liver disease burden remain to be elucidated. Human exposure to benzene in work environment is a gbbat occupational health problem; it may represent a risk factor for hepatotoxicity, liver cancer and hematotoxicity. The present study aimed to evaluate the hazardous effects of occupational exposure to benzene on liver and blood, as well as the protective role of the antioxidant [vitamin A] on hematotoxic and hepatotoxic effects among shoemakers who exposed to benzene. Twenty hundred and fifty workers were enrolled in this study after taking an informed consent; 140 occupationally exposed workers to benzene for more than 3 years [workers group; subdivided into non-treated and treated with vitamin A], and 110 workers never occupationally exposed to benzene [control group]. The benzene urine level, complete blood counts [CBC5], the liver enzymes, and the tumor marker, alphafetoprotein [AFP] were estimated. The benzene level in urine samples was significantly increased in shoemakers group. Benzene exposed non-treated workers showed significant increase in the liver enzymes and AFP, while the CBCs were significantly lower compared with both control group and benzene exposed treated group with vitamin A. Occupational exposure to benzene found to have hazardous effects, which were reflected on CBCs, liver enzymes, and AFP. Additionally, the vitamin A was observed to be effectively potent in ameliorating the haematotoxic and hepatotoxic effects in exposed workers. Periodic medical care and CBCs in combination with urinary benzene [UB] level were recommended in benzene workers

Homocysteine level in renal transplant recipients and its correlation to glomerular filtration rate, cyclosporine level and folate level

Cardiovascular disease [CVD] is the most common cause of death after renal transplantation [RT]. Hyperhomocysteinemia is identified as a risk factor for CVD. RT recipients [RTRs] have an excess prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia. The objectives of this study were to determine homocysteine [tHCY] level in stable RTRs and correlate its level to graft function, cyslosporine level and folate level. Twenty RTRs of 1[st] living renal allografts, 16 males and 4 females with a mean age of 44.1 +/- 5.1 years and a transplant duration of 22.2 +/- 12.6 months were included in this study. Their mean serum creatinine, blood urea and GFR were 1.5 +/- 0.6 mg/dL, 63 +/- 27.7 mg/dL and 53.9 +/- 32.8 ml/ min respectively. Hyperhomocysteinemia was recorded in all RTRs, mild in 13 [65%] and moderate in 7 [35%] with a mean of 27.9 +/- 12.8 umol/L. Plasma folate level was low [4.5 +/- 5.5 ng/mL]. A significant positive correlation was recorded between tHCY level and both blood urea and serum creatinine [r 0.529, 0.279 respectively, P < 0.05]. There was a significant negative correlation between tHCY level and both GFR and plasma folate level [r - 0.375, - 0.416 respectively, P < 0.05]. No correlation between tHCY level and both duration of renal transplantation and cyclosporine level was recorded. In conclusion, inadequate folate level and or failure to restore normal renal function may be relevant to hyperhomocysteinemia observed in RTRs. tHCY level lowering can be achieved safely, rapidly and in-expensively with B-vitamin intervention