Influence of factors of electroplating production on the immunoreactivity of the body of workers

Introduction. Modern electroplating production is the leader in air pollution of the working area with substances containing highly toxic compounds. Therefore, early detection of the negative impact of harmful factors on the body of workers is of paramount importance. 

The purpose of the study: to evaluate changes in individual parts of the immune system under prolonged exposure to chemical factors of the production environment. 

Materials and methods. 195 employees of electroplating production (the leading group) and 67 employees who are not in contact with harmful factors of the production environment (the control group) were examined. Cytochemical and immunological studies were performed according to standard and unified methods. The nickel content in the urine was determined by the voltammetric method. 

Results. With an increase in the work experience of workers, there is a decrease in the activity of myeloperoxidase of neutrophils MPn (r = –0.89) and an increase in the activity of acid phosphatase of neutrophils AcPN, alkaline phosphatase of neutrophils AlPN (r = 0,88–0,91). There was a destabilization of the cellular component of the immune response, characterized by a decrease in the immunoregulatory index by 2.0 times, and activation of the humoral component with an increase in the levels of IgM, IgE and circulating immune complexes by 1.4–1.8 times relative to the control. An imbalance of cytokine regulation was established, where proinflammatory responses with increased cytokine production by 1.5–3.5 times (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4) prevail. The relationship between the concentration of nickel in the urine and changes in the parameters of AcPN (r = 0.87), MPn (r = –0.84), IgA (r = –0.72); IL-1β, IL-4, IgE, (r = 0.62–0.71), confirming the priority effect of nickel compounds on the established changes. 

Conclusion. The identified violations of the immunoreactivity of the workers‘ body can contribute to the development of immunodeficiency, allergic and autoimmune conditions that underlie occupational and industrial-related diseases. The proposed biomarkers are recommended to be used for early diagnosis of health disorders in workers of electroplating production, formation of “risk groups”, evaluation of the effectiveness of timely preventive and rehabilitation measures.

Contribution:

Kryuchkova E.N. — concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, statistical processing, writing;

Antoshina L.I. — collection and processing of material;

Sukhova A.V. — writing, editing;

Preobrazhenskaya E.A. — concept and design of the study.

All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.