Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities as biomarkers of oxidative stress in workers exposed to mercury vapors

Journal Article · · Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health
; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. INRS, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy (France)
  2. Association InterEntreprises de Medecine du Travail du Bas-Rhin, Strasbourg (France)
We investigated the role of three blood antioxidant enzyme activities and total antioxidant status (TAS) as biological markers of oxidative stress in workers exposed to mercury (Hg{degrees}) vapors. Twenty-two female workers took part in the study. Blood and urine sampling for biological analyses was performed. The workers were classified into three subgroups according to their creatinine-corrected Hg concentration in urine. Blood antioxidant enzyme activities and TAS were compared between groups with nonparametric distribution-free methods. A significant difference existed in catalase activity and a slight, but not significant, difference existed in Cu{sup 2+}/Zn{sup 2+} superoxide dismutase (Cu{sup 2+}/Zn{sup 2+} SOD) activity between the three groups. No differences were observed in either the glutathione peroxidase activity or the TAS between these groups. Catalase and Cu{sup 2+}/Zn{sup 2+} SOD activities were increased in the groups of workers with higher creatinine-corrected urinary Hg concentrations when compared with the group of lower creatinine-corrected urinary Hg concentrations. Catalase activity was positively correlated with the creatinine-corrected concentration of Hg in urine, and Cu{sup 2+}/Zn{sup 2+} SOD activity was slightly correlated with the creatinine-corrected concentration of Hg in urine. The role of erythrocyte catalase and Cu{sup 2}/Zn{sup 2+} SOD activities we have measured is in agreement with the hypothesis of the involvement of reactive oxygen species production as an important event in chronic exposure to Hg{degrees} vapors in humans. In spite of the small sample size, results indicate that erythrocyte catalase and Cu{sup 2+}/Zn{sup 2+} SOD activities could be considered as markers of biological effect in workers exposed to Hg{degrees} vapors. 24 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.
OSTI ID:
450662
Journal Information:
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Journal Name: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 48; ISSN 0098-4108; ISSN JTEHD6
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English