The Relationship Between The Expression Of Heat Shock Protein70 And Genetic Damage In Peripheral Blood Of Coke Oven Workers

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the expression of heat shock protein70 (HSP70) and genetic damage in coke oven workers and their functions. Methods: 71 coke oven workers in Taiyuan steel factory were divided into oven top and side group and oven bottom group. 35 workers unexposed occupationally carcinogenic substances were selected in the control group, who.3 were employed in control disease centre of Taiyuan steel factory. We investigated their general information, history of personal and occupational exposure, and the work environment. Blood and urine samples were collected immediately after a shift at the end of a working day from 71 coke oven workers and 35 control workers. The Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene(HpU) level was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Chromosomal aberrations and the degree of DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes were detected separately by micronucleus assay and comet assay, the HSP70 level was measured by Western blot. Results: There were no significant differences among those groups regarding age, sex, tobacco, and alcohol(P>0.05).The HpU levels of oven top and side group, oven bottom group and control group respectively were 6.32 (2.61-15.43) μmol/mol creatinine, 4.49(0.69-11.06) μmol/mol creatinine, and 3.63 (0.67-5.07) μmol/mol creatinine. Compared to the controls, the levels of HpU in the oven top and side group increased significantly (p<0.05). Micronucleus rates in three groups were separately 3.70(2.00-5.90) ‰, 2.64(1.00-4.35) ‰, 2.00(1.00-4.00) ‰. Micronucleus rates in the oven top and side group were significantly higher than control group. However, no effects of occupational exposure on DNA damage and the levels of HSP70 were found in our study. The comet tail lenth of oven top and side, bottom and control group respectively were 7.48(5.53-10.77)μm, 6.90(5.26-12.07)μm, 5.91(4.30-9.26)μm respectively. The HSP70 levels of oven top and side, bottom and control group respectively were 1.18±0.47, 1.13±0.70, 1.34±0.73. In oven top and side group, the HSP70 level had negative correlation with DNA damage(r=-0.403,p=0.03), but in other two groups no correlations could be seen(r=0.013,p=0.94; r=0.092,p=0.62). Conclusion:1. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in coke oven workers could be used as an exposure biomarker to evaluate PAHs contact level. 2. Coke oven emission could result in increased levels of micronucleus rate in peripheral blood lymphocytes and genetic damage. 3. Because many facts may influence the HSP70 level and the result of comet assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes, a dose-effect relationship between them and PAHs exposure are not found. 4. In some dose scope, the expression of HSP70 could protect cells from damage.