Abstract
BackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated that alterations in certain circulating biomarkers may be correlated with Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). This study investigated the relationship between changes of serum biomarkers and pulmonary function during the development of CWP.MethodsLung function parameters and specific serum indices were measured in 69 non-smoking coal workers, including 34 miners with CWP, 24 asymptomatic miners and 11 miners with minimal symptoms. The associations between changes in pulmonary function and serum indices were tested with Pearson's correlation coefficients. Multivariable analysis was used to estimate the predictive power of potential determinant variables for lung function.ResultsCompared to healthy miners, lung function (FVC, FEV1, FEF50, FEF75, FEF25-75 % of predicted values) was decreased in miners with CWP (p < 0.05). Increased serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was associated with decreased FVC% of predicted values in the asymptomatic miners (r = -0.503, p = 0.014).ConclusionsIn coal mine workers, alterations of lung function parameters are associated with the development of CWP and with changes in circulating MMP-9, TIMP-9, IL-13 and IL-18R. These serum biomarkers may likely reflect the pathogenesis and progression of CWP in coal workers, and may provide for the importance of serum indicators in the early diagnosis of lung function injury in coal miners.
Highlights
Previous studies have demonstrated that alterations in certain circulating biomarkers may be correlated with Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP)
Except for forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEF25, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/FVC, FEF50, FEF75, FEF25-75 and FEV1 parameters showed decreasing trends in patients with CWP when compared with group 0+, but there was no significant difference (Figure 1)
This study demonstrated that the lung ventilation function parameters, the percent predicted values for FVC, FEV1, FEF50, FEF75 and FEF25-75, showed significant decreases in patients with CWP when compared with the respective values in the asymptomatic miners group
Summary
Previous studies have demonstrated that alterations in certain circulating biomarkers may be correlated with Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP). This study investigated the relationship between changes of serum biomarkers and pulmonary function during the development of CWP. Despite implementation of rules and regulations for safer limits to dust exposure in the workplace, Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) is still an occupational health problem [1,2]. Pathophysiological mechanisms have not been elucidated, it has been proposed that following exposure to coal dust, lung tissue responds subsequently. The Th2 cytokine IL-13 may be involved in inflammation and remodeling, which accompanies lung fibrosis [11], while the antifibrotic effects of IL-9 may be associated with a limitation of the type 2 polarization observed in pulmonary fibrosis [12]. Elevated levels of MMPs have been noted during early stages of pulmonary silica exposure [18]
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