Perturbations in indices of oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage and lung function in chronic exposure to wood dust in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives

Oxidative stress (OS) and oxidative DNA damage accruing from chronic exposure to wood dust have been implicated in the development of chronic lung conditions among woodworkers. Indices of OS, inflammation, oxidative DNA damage and lung function in relation to duration of exposure to wood dust were assessed in woodworkers to determine their possible utility as risk evaluation indices for chronic lung conditions.

Methods

Ninety participants comprising 30 active woodworkers, 30 passive woodworkers, and 30 controls were enrolled into this cross-sectional study. The total plasma peroxides, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were determined in all participants.

Results

Woodworkers had lower PEFR, TAC, and higher malondialdehyde, OSI, hs-CRP, and 8-OHdG compared to controls (p < 0.05). Active woodworkers had higher malondialdehyde, 8-OHdG, and hs-CRP compared to passive woodworkers (p < 0.05). Increasing duration of exposure to wood dust is associated with higher malondialdehyde, hs-CRP, and 8-OHdG in active woodworkers (p < 0.05) and higher 8-OHdG and hs-CRP in passive woodworkers (p < 0.05). Negative correlation was observed between hs-CRP and TAC (r=−0.367, p = 0.048) in active workers.

Conclusion

The association of exposure to wood dust with elevated indices of inflammation, OS, lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage, and reduction in antioxidants and peak expiratory flow rate; and the concomitant increase in oxidative DNA damage and inflammation with increasing duration of exposure suggest that these indices may be useful in predicting woodworkers at risk of development of chronic lung conditions.

Keywords:

• Wood dust
• oxidative stress
• inflammation
• DNA damage
• lung

Acknowledgement

Authors are grateful to Timber Market Association Cross River State, Nigeria for volunteering to participate in this study. There was no form of financial support for this work.

Ethical approval

The study protocol was approved by the Cross River State ministry of health ethical committee (REC No. RP/REC/2020/124).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will be made available on request.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.