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Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Chemotaxis as a Tool in Detecting Biological Early Effects in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Low Levels of n-HeXane

Institute of Occupational Medicine University of Ancona, Ospedale Torrette, 60020 Torrette di Ancona, Italy

Matteo Valentino

Institute of Occupational Medicine University of Ancona, Ospedale Torrette, 60020 Torrette di Ancona, Italy

Isabella Visanà

Institute of Occupational Medicine University of Ancona, Ospedale Torrette, 60020 Torrette di Ancona, Italy

Francesca Monaco

Institute of Occupational Medicine University of Ancona, Ospedale Torrette, 60020 Torrette di Ancona, Italy

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were chosen to measure two cellular end points- chemotaxis and respiratory burst - and to verify whether they could function as biomarkers of early effect in detecting occupational exposure to n-hexane of apparently healthy shoe workers, without any electroneuromyographic (ENMG) abnormality.

Chemotaxis, but not respiratory burst, was found to be impaired. A negative linear correlation between chemotaxis of PMN of those workers that had been exposed to n-hexane versus 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) urinary concentrations were found.

This negative trend is consistent with our previous in vitro experimental findings: it was observed that the progressive addition of 2,5-HD to PMN suspensions inhibited chemotaxis in a dose-dependent mode, while chemiluminescence was not modified.

Now we have confirmed in vivo that chemotaxis is more sensitive than the respiratory burst response to 2,5-HD. Such results justify the interest in the behaviour of PMN harvested from workers exposed to n-hexane.

Since significant inhibition of chemotactic activity was observed in some workers whose urinary 2,5-HD levels were lower than 5 mg l^-1, which is the biological exposure index suggested by ACGIH, this study suggests that PMN chemotaxis may be proposed as a useful biomarker in detecting occupational exposure to low level of n-hexane.

Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 13, No. 10, 663-670 (1994)
DOI: 10.1177/096032719401301003


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