Increased levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in metal oxides nanomaterial-handling workers

Abstract

This study assessed oxidatively damaged DNA and antioxidant enzyme activity in workers occupational exposure to metal oxides nanomaterials. Exposure to TiO₂, SiO₂, and ITO resulted in significant lower antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and higher oxidative biomarkers 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) than comparison workers. Statistically significant correlations were noted between plasma and urine 8-oxodG, between white blood cells (WBC) and urine 8-oxodG, and between WBC and plasma 8-oxodG. In addition, there were significant negative correlations between WBC 8-oxodG and SOD and between urinary 8-oxodG and GPx levels. The results showed that urinary 8-oxodG may be considered to be better biomarker.

Keywords:

• Antioxidant enzyme activities
• biomarkers
• 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine
• LC-MS/MS
• metal oxides nanomaterials

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Funding information

This study was supported by Ministry of Science and Technology (Grant No. NSC102-2113-M-030-005-MY2, NSC102-2314-B-400-002, MOST 103-2314-B-400-005-MY2), National Health Research Institutes of Taiwan (grants 98A1-EOSP03-014, 99A1-EOSP03-014, 00A1-EOSP03-014, and 01A1-EOSP03-014), and the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Taiwan (grants IOSH98-M323, IOSH99-M323, IOSH100-M323, and IOSH101-M323). The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Taiwan National Health Research Institutes.