Publication Cover
Inhalation Toxicology
International Forum for Respiratory Research
Volume 26, 2014 - Issue 14
223
Views
9
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Proteins as biomarkers of carbon monoxide neurotoxicity

, , &
Pages 885-890 | Received 03 Jul 2014, Accepted 14 Sep 2014, Published online: 30 Oct 2014
 

Abstract

Context: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the most common form of accidental lethal poisoning and is associated with a risk of brain damage in survivors.

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine whether Tau protein or S100B protein may be used as a biomarker for acute brain dysfunction.

Materials and methods: The determination of Tau and S100B proteins was performed in serum samples collected from 27 CO-poisoned patients and 12 healthy volunteers.

Results: The level of Tau protein in the serum of patients (444 ± 227 ng L−1) differed significantly compared with those in the healthy controls (240 ± 61 ng L−1) and correlated with the level of carboxyhemoglobin. A higher concentration of Tau protein was found in patients who had lost consciousness during CO exposure. The concentration of S100B in the serum of CO-poisoned subjects (0.08 ± 0.03 µg L−1) was not statistically different from values obtained for the controls (0.07 ± 0.02 µg L−1).

Conclusion: CO poisoning appears to be associated with an elevated level of Tau and S100B proteins in the serum of patients who had suffered a loss of consciousness. The study has shown that Tau protein is a more sensitive biomarker than S100B protein for the earlier stage of neurotoxic effects of CO intoxication.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully thank Miss Mariola Gruszka, chemistry student, for her technical assistance.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.