Functional and structural liver abnormalities in former PCB exposed workers – analyses from the HELPcB cohort

ABSTRACT

The effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) on liver function and structure are still under debate. Although higher transaminase activity and tumor promoting potential of PCB reported for animal and human studies was suggested, these studies were not able to provide definitive evidence on the ability of these chemicals to affect liver function and contribution to tumor development. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of PCB on liver function and morphology in a cohort of former PCB exposed workers. Over 5 years, a longitudinal analysis of the association between PCB concentration and hepatic transaminases such as alanine transaminase (ALT) aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and gamma glutamyltransferase (γGT), as well as liver size and structure was undertaken. Data demonstrated a significant inverse association between PCB concentration and γGT activity levels but there was no marked relationship with AST and ALT activities. Regarding sonographic examination, a significant association was found between liver size and PCB concentration. This association remained, even after adjusting for alcohol consumption, liver affecting drugs, timespan of internal exposure, or age. No marked correlation was noted between PCB concentration and liver structure changes. In summary, an association was observed between PCB concentration and γGT activity levels as well as liver size in humans. The long-term health consequences attributed to PCB on liver and in particular in tumorigenesis are not foreseeable in our cohort thus far, but remain a focus in further ongoing surveillance.

KEYWORDS:

• Liver transaminases
• cohort study
• POP
• persistent organic pollutants
• occupational exposure

Acknowledgments

We thank our participants to be part of this surveillance program and to provide us with important health information. We furthermore thank PD Dr. Jens Rodenwaldt and his team at Klinikum Westfalen for carrying out the ultrasound examinations. We furthermore thank the reviewers for improving the manuscript through their helpful suggestions.

Disclosure statement

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, A.K. The data are not publicly available due to containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.

Supplemental Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the BG ETEM (Berufsgenossenschaft Energie Textil Elektro Medienerzeugnisse).