LAUSR

This work showed that radiological abnormalities and reduction in ventilatory functions among silica-exposed workers was mediated through oxidative stress, evidenced by increased serum MDA level, indicating lipid peroxidation, and increased serum 8-HdG indicating oxidative DNA damage. Consumption of GPx enzyme occured to balance the oxidative effects of the free radicals. Objective To investigate the changes of the ventilatory function tests and the oxidative stress biomarkers among silica-exposed foundry workers. Methods The exposed group included 70 workers in an iron foundry. The nonexposed group included 40 subjects from Kasralainy outpatient clinic. Both groups were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, chest radiograph, spirometry, urinary silica, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-HdG). Results Higher urinary silica, serum MDA and serum 8-HdG, whereas lower serum GPx and ventilatory functions were detected in the exposed group compared with the controls. All parameters correlated with urinary silica. The exposed silicotic subgroup had increased work duration, urinary silica, serum MDA, and serum 8-HdG, and decreased serum GPx and ventilatory functions compared with non-silicotic subgroup. Conclusion Oxidative stress biomarkers were abnormal with impairment of ventilatory functions among silica-exposed workers.