CHANGE OF SOME BIOCHEMICAL INDICES DEPENDING ON EXPOSURE LOAD IN STAFF WORKERS IN CONTACT WITH VINYL CHLORIDE

Abstract

Introduction. The paper presents the results of a survey of 42 experienced workers of a chemical enterprise exposed to vinyl chloride (VC). The purpose of the study is to establish the characteristics of changes in some biochemical indices in workers exposed to vinyl chloride, depending on the exposure load. Material and methods. A neurological, general therapeutic, ultrasound examination, biochemical studies with the determination of lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant protection, neurotransmitters was executed. The toxic exposure load (TEL) for the entire period of internship has been determined. Non-parametric methods of statistical analysis with the determination of the Mann-Whitney U-test were used. Results. Clinical manifestations of employees working in contact with VC included asthenic disorder with cognitive impairment and autonomic dysfunction syndrome, arterial hypertension, and gastrointestinal diseases. The prevalence of cognitive impairments and hypertension has been established to increases with an extremely high level of exposure load. In individuals with an extremely high level of exposure, higher concentrations of LDL cholesterol, atherogenic index (AI) and serotonin levels, and a decrease in the level of ceruloplasmin were noted. An ultrasound examination of the liver revealed an increase in the anteroposterior size of the right lobe in the group of experienced workers who were in contact with VC, compared with the control (p = 0.03). Discussion. Among the indices of lipid metabolism, pro-atherogenic cholesterol fractions are a more sensitive marker, reflecting the degree of exposure to VC. A decrease in the concentration of ceruloplasmin is probably associated with a weakening of the antioxidant defense mechanisms with an increase in the level of TEL. Increased serotonin levels in individuals with extremely high levels of TEL, confirms the prevalence of cognitive impairment in this group. In the group of individuals with extremely high levels of TEL, a statistically significant increase in LDL cholesterol, IA, a decrease in ceruloplasmin concentration, an increase in serotonin serum levels due to impaired metabolic and protective functions of the liver as a result of prolonged contact with VC were noted.