The Association of Serum TNF-α Levels and Blood Multi-Elements Modified by TNF-α Gene Polymorphisms in Metal Industrial Workers

Abstract

Health of the metal industrial workers should be a noteworthy issue due to the hazard ofchronic exposure to metals or toxic elements. The interactions among multiple elements aresophisticated and may differ from person to person. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) genepolymorphisms were supposed to be involved with the interactions because TNF-α plays animportant role in inflammation, a mechanism by which toxic elements cause threats to humanhealth. This research aimed to analyze the influence of TNF-α gene polymorphisms and multielementson serum TNF-α level. Blood multi-elements concentrations (lead, cadmium, arsenic,selenium, cobalt, copper, and zinc), serum TNF-α level, and TNF-α single nucleotidepolymorphisms (SNPs), including −238G > A (rs361525), −308G > A (rs1800629), −857C > T(rs1799724), −863C > A (rs1800630), and −1031T > C (rs1799964), were measured in 462 metalindustrial workers. We applied mixed-effect models to analyze the interactions among multielementsand TNF-α SNPs. Blood concentration of all elements were positively associated withserum TNF-α level, and the effects may be modified by TNF-α gene polymorphisms. Our studyrevealed that TNF-α −308A/A and −1031C/C may be susceptible genotypes, and thus we suggestthat those workers should take preventive measures against metal toxicity.