Evaluation of Dynamic Disulphide/Thiol Homeostasis in Silica Exposed Workers

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress is implicated as one ofthe main molecular mechanism underlying silicosis.Aims: In this study, our aim was to asses the redox statusin occupationally silica-exposed workers, by evaluatingthe dynamic thiol-disulphide homeostasis.Study Design: Case-control study.Methods: Thirty-six male workers occupationallyexposed to silica particles and 30 healthy volunteers,working as office workers were included to the study.Posteroanterior chest radiographs and pulmonaryfunction tests of both groups were evaluated. Alsoserum thiol disulphide levels were measured usingthe spectrophotometric method described by Erel andNeşelioğlu.Results: Among the 36 workers that underwentpulmonary function tests 6 (17%) had obstructive, 7(19%) had restrictive, 6 (17%) had obstructive andrestrictive signs whereas 17 (47%) had no signs. Themean PFTs results of silica-exposed workers weresignificantly lower than control subjects. The serumdisulphide levels of silica-exposed workers weresignificantly higher than control subjects (23.84±5.89?mol/L and 21.18±3.44 ?mol/L, respectively p=0.02).Conclusion: The serum disulphide levels, a biomarkerof oxidative stress, are found to be higher in silicaexposedworkers.