Circulating Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (Kim-1) As an Early Predictor of Chronic Gasoline Exposure-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Minia City, Minia, Egypt

Abstract

Long-term exposure to gasoline had been proved to induce nephrotoxicity among gasoline handlers. This study evaluated the efficiency of using circulating kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) as an early predictor of nephrotoxic effect of long-term occupational exposure to gasoline in Minia city. Eighty three male subjects were involved and were divided into 4 groups: group I: 20 apparently healthy subjects with no history of long-term gasoline exposure, group II: 19 gas station workers for a period of 1 years ± 2 months, group III: 27 gas station workers for a period of 3 years ± 2 months, and group IV: 17 gas station workers for a period of 5 years ± 2 months. All subjects were investigated for blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (S.Cr.) and KIM-1. The levels BUN and S.Cr. of the subjects of group III were within normal with no significant differences when compared to those of groups I and II while the level of KIM-1 was significantly increased when compared to groups I and II. The levels BUN, S.Cr. and KIM-1 of group IV subjects were significantly elevated when compared to other groups. Also, there was a positive correlation of the level of S.Cr. to the levels of KIM-1 among group IV. It is important to use protective measures at these stations, and to develop a more safe fuel in the near future as long-term exposure to gasoline may carry the risk of nephrotoxicity. KIM-1 may be a promising early predictor of such nephrotoxic effects.