Association of serum immunoglobulins levels and eye injuries in sulfur mustard exposed: Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study.

In this study the associations between ocular problems and serum levels of immunoglobulins in sulfur mustard (SM) exposed population 20 years after exposure in context of Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study was explored. Serum immunoglobulins (Ig) levels including IgM, IgA, IgE, IgG, and subclasses of IgG (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4) in 372 SM-exposed patients were titrated and compared with 128 unexposed controls considering their ocular problems. In exposed patients with tearing and blurring of vision, serum IgM levels were significantly lower than matched controls (P=0.026 and 0.027, respectively). Serum IgM levels in exposed patients with normal ocular conditions were significantly lower (P<0.050) than that of matched controls. Serum levels of IgA, IgE and IgG and IgG3 levels were not significantly different between the two groups with abnormal and normal ocular conditions. Mean serum IgG1 levels in exposed patients with normal ocular conditions were significantly higher than the matched controls (P<0.05) except for tearing and photophobia. Mean serum IgG2 levels in exposed with blurring of vision and without tearing, ocular pain, photophobia, lids and bulbar conjuctival abnormalities were significantly higher than that of matched controls (P<0.050). Mean serum levels of IgG4 in exposed patients with normal ocular conditions and most of the abnormal ocular conditions were significantly lower than the matched controls (P<0.05). The results of the current study showed that even 20 years after SM exposure serum immunoglobulins are different from matched normal controls and the levels of IgM and IgG4 are associated with some aspects of ocular surface problems.

Serum profiles of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in long-term pulmonary complication induced by sulfur mustard: Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study (SICS).

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a cytotoxic chemical agent which can cause severe irritation and irreversible damages to body tissues. The effect of SM gas on respiratory tract is one of the main causes of short and long term disabling complications. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have a critical role in controlling extra cellular matrix remodeling and inflammatory responses in lung tissue and are involved in many various chronic pulmonary diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible role of MMPs and their endogenous inhibitors in SM induced lung symptoms in exposed subjects 20 years after exposure. Serum level of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, and TIMP-4 was measured by ELISA and compared between groups of exposed without any symptoms (control group) and with mild or moderate-severe lung complications. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was assayed by gelatin zymography method. There was a significant association between serum level of MMP-1 and severity of lung complications in SM exposed groups. MMP-2 activity was decreased in exposed groups with mild lung complications. TIMPs level was not different in exposed and normal groups. We concluded that increased serum levels of MMP-1 and decreased MMP-2 activity may have roles in pathogenesis and persistence of lung complications in SM exposed victims.