Genetic susceptibility and health effects of occupational exposure to nitroaromatic compounds in ammunition industry / Aiesha Ashraf Mohammed Abdelsamea ; Supervised Hussein Hassan Sayed Zayet , Nermin Hamdy Mohamed Zawilla , Sherif Mohammed Yosry

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

Subjects and methods: The study was conducted on 40 workers as an exposed group comprising all workers engaged in ammunition production and maintenance line in a military ammunition factory in Helwan area, South of Cairo and who fulfilled inclusion criteria for participation in the study. The study also involved a control group composed of 40 workers randomly selected from administration workers in Cairo University Hospitals and never occupationally exposed to nitroaromatic compounds or genotoxic substances and matched the exposed group as regards age, sex, smoking and socioeconomic status. All participants were subjected to a detailed specially prepared occupational and medical history questionnaire with full clinical examination, slit lamp examination, ECG scanning and Laboratory investigations were done and included: liver and kidney functions (ALT, AST, bilirubin, blood urea, serum creatinine) complete blood picture, serum 8 hydroxyguanosine level and blood lead level. Genetic study of GST gene polymorphism was done for the whole population. Multiplex PCR was performed for determination of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes polymorphisms in the isolated DNAs, while PCR {u2013}Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR- RELP) was performed for GSTP1 gene polymorphisms. Results: Clinical examination of study population revealed higher frequency of anorexia, nausea and vomiting, metallic taste, flushing, work accidents, cataract, diminution of vision, contact dermatitis, skin discoloration, bronchial hypersensitivity, reproductive troubles, cardiac ischemia, headache and hypertension among exposed workers compared to control group. Exposed workers showed elevation in mean blood urea (35.30 ±8.47mg/dl) compared to the control group (28.15±5.36 mg/dl) with a highly significant statistical difference

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