Oxidative DNA Damage and Pro-inflammatory Response In Chronic Exposure To Cement Dust

Background: Inflammatory cell activation, oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage have been associated with exposure to cement dust. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage, inflammation and heavy metals were estimated in cement loaders. Methods: Ninety men (45 cement loaders and 45 controls) were recruited into this comparative cross-sectional study. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total plasma peroxides (TPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO) and uric acid (UA) were estimated by colorimetry, arsenic (As), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.  Results: Cement loaders had increased lipid peroxidation (MDA, TPP, OSI), inflammation (TNF-ɑ) and heavy metals (As, Cr) and lower antioxidants (UA, TAC, GSH) compared to controls (p<0.05). Increasing duration of exposure to cement dust was associated with higher lipid peroxidation, Cd, TNF-α and oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG) (p<0.05). Negative correlation was observed between TAC and duration of exposure (r=-0.375, p=0.011) and positive correlations between TPP and duration of exposure (r=0.614, p=0.000), TNF-α and 8-OHdG (r=0.492, p=0.001) in cement loaders.  Conclusion: Chronic exposure to cement dust is associated with depletion of antioxidants, increased lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, inflammation and oxidative DNA damage. These may be implicated in the development of chronic lung conditions.