Oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines following perchloroethylene exposure in young female dry-cleaning workers

BACKGROUND: The involvement of Perchloroethylene (PCE) in the development of autoimmune diseases has been reported. However, few studies investigated immunotoxicity in PCE-exposed workers. OBJECTIVE: To study changes in the oxidative stress and cytokine profile of young female dry-cleaning workers exposed to PCE. METHODS: Thirty-eight exposed workers and 38 unexposed controls were recruited. All the participants were young nonsmoker females. Individual interviews were conducted by a physician. Blood samples were collected and hematological tests were performed by an automated Coulter Counter. Plasma PCE levels were determined using gas chromatography/flame ionization detection. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using the colorimetric method. The levels of plasma cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were measured by commercially kits. RESULTS: The levels of plasma PCE averaged 561 +/- 96 ng/ml in the exposed group compared with 1.3 +/- 0.5 ng/ml in the controls. The hematological tests failed to find abnormalities in the exposedworkers. Exposedworkers presented significantly increased plasma levels of MDA, SOD and CAT. There were no significant differences between the two groups for level of plasma TAC. Significantly increased plasma IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha and decreased IL-2 and IL-8 levels were seen in the exposed workers. There were no significant differences between the two groups for IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: PCE exposure resulted in changed cytokine profile in dry-cleaning workers, suggesting the potential immunotoxicity of PCE at low exposure levels.