Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Professor of Prothodontics, Prothodontics Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
2
Lecturer of Biochemistry, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Pharos University, Alexandria, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Dental technician expose to large amounts of crystalline silica that increase their risk of developing silicosis. Neopterin are produced upon stimulation with the cytokine interferon-γ. Neopterin is produced by activated monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells upon stimulation by interferon gamma produced by T-lymphocytes. Neopterin production provides prognostic information in patients with autoimmune diseases. Objective: Assessment of serum neopterin, inflammatory cytokines, enzyme activities and trace elements in smokers and non smokers dental technicians and to compare them with the corresponding levels in a control group. Subjects and Methods: Serum was examined in 45 dental technician, 15 subjects as a control group and 30 subjects exposed to silica. The surveyed dental technician were divided into three groups: 1st group (control group), 2nd group (smokers dental technician) and 3rd group (non smokers dental technician). Serum neopterin, some trace elements, LDH, ALP, ACP, TNF-α, and IL-8 were determined. Result: Higher levels of neopterin were established in smokers dental technician exposed to crystalline silica (16.48 ng/ml) by comparison with non smokers dental technicians (9.85 ng/ml) and the control group (4.24 ng/ml). Significant increase in the levels of silica, calcium, copper, enzymatic activities, TNF-α, IL8 and a significant decrease in Zn levels in serum of smokers subject compared with both non smokers and control subjects. Conclusion: Research on biomarkers for silicosis is still at its nascent stage. The concentration of serum neopterin could be used as a biomarker in the diagnostic criteria for silicosis moreover it is suitable for introduction into the routine clinical laboratory practice.
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