Changes of tumor necrosis factor, surfactant protein A, and phospholipids in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the development and progression of coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the alterations of biomarkers in the development and progression of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). METHODS: The type and number of cells, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), pulmonary surfactant protein, phospholipids and fibronectin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were assayed in 14 health active coal miners, 21 coal miners without CWP and 13 miners with CWP of 0/1 to 1/1. RESULTS: Compared to active coal miners without CWP (8.23 microg/mL), TNF-alpha concentration was gradually decreased when dust exposure was stopped (5.90 microg/mL). Elevated surfactant protein A (SP-A) level and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) to phosphatidylinositol (PI) ratio were found in miners actively exposed to coal dust (6528 ng/mL for SP-A and 10. for PG/PI), and both parameters decreased when CWP progressed from CWP (0/1) (3419 microg/mL for SP-A and 5.9 for PG/PI) to CWP (1/1) (1654 microg/mL for SP-A and 5.5 for PG/PI). CONCLUSION: Biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid can be used to screen coal miners at high risk of developing coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

[Biological responses of tin mine particles and their association with adverse effects on health in tin mine].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biological and toxicity of tin mine particles mixed with crystalline silica using an in vitro test, and to compare to the pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis and lung cancer. METHODS: Respirable particle samples were sampled from four tin mines, in which elevated mortality of pneumoconiosis and lung cancer were reported in miners exposed to particles. Alveolar macrophages (AM) are considered as the target cells of primary dust effects. The samples were then measured in 15, 30, 60 and 120 microg particle per 106 AM for cytoxicity with the release of glucuronidase, lactate dehydrogenase, for reactive oxygen damage with H2O2 release, and for ability to induce fibrosis using the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-(alpha) in guinea pig and/or rat am. pure quartz (dq12) and corundum were used as controls. RESULTS: The results showed the samples from tin mines caused a higher cytoxicity when compared to corundum, yet lower when compared to quartz. However, reactive oxygen species release induced by the samples were significantly higher than that induced by quartz and corundum. Beside particle samples induced higher TNF-alpha secretion than corundum, samples from Limu tin mine also induced greatly higher TNF-alpha levels than that induced by pure quartz, even in the lowest concentration. The results from epidemiological research show that high incidence of silicosis among tin miners. And standardize mortality from all cancer (SMR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.39-1.76) and lung cancer (SMR = 3.17, 95% CI: 2.59-3.76) are higher than national average level. CONCLUSION: The results from in vitro test may reasonable interpret high risk of pneumoconiosis and lung cancer in tin miners. The in vitro multidimensional reaction patterns of AM can be used to screen workplace particles for adverse effects to health.

Biological responses of workplace particles and their association with adverse health effects on miners.

Epidemiological research has demonstrated the relationship between exposure to quartz dust and an elevated risk of pneumoconiosis and possible elevated risk of cancer. The current study was designed to evaluate the biological responses of workplace particles containing crystalline silica using an in vitro cell test. Respirable particle samples were sampled from four tin mines, where the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for pneumoconiosis was 51.6 and SMR for lung cancer was 2.2 in dust-exposed miners. Alveolar macrophages (AM) are considered as the target cells for primary dust effects. The samples were then measured at 15, 30, 60 and 120 microg particle per 10(6) AM for cytoxicity with the release of glucuronidase, lactate dehydrogenase, for reactive oxygen damage with H(2)O(2) release, and for ability to induce fibrosis using the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Pure quartz (DQ12) and corundum were used as controls. The results showed the samples from tin mines caused a higher cytoxicity when compared to corundum, yet lower when compared to quartz. However, reactive oxygen species release (148-177 nmol/3 x 10(5) AM in high concentration of 120 microg/10(6) AM) induced by the samples were significantly higher than that induced by quartz (57 nmol/3 x 10(5) AM) and corundum (62 nmol/3 x 10(5) AM). Furthermore, particle samples induced higher TNF-alpha secretion than corundum, the samples from Limu tin mine induced much higher TNF-alpha levels than that induced by DQ12 quartz. The results from the in vitro tests help elucidate the degree of hazard of dust particles in tin mines. The in vitro reaction patterns of AM also constitute a powerful tool to monitor biological and pathogenic responses of humans following dust particle exposure.