Epigenetic Changes and Cardiovascular Risks among Workers Occupationally Exposed to Iron and Zinc

Mohamed S, Helmy M, Seif Eldin S
2020 Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine  
Several metals such as Iron and Zinc were found at high concentration in foundry particulate matter and demonstrated to have procoagulant effects, these effects may occur through epigenetic changes of pro-inflammatory genes. So, Iron and Steel workers are at a high risk for cardiovascular diseases. Aim of work: Evaluation of the risk of thrombosis and cardiovascular diseases among individuals occupationally exposed to Iron and Zinc. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross sectional
more » ... e study was performed on 60 persons working in Iron and Steel factory and 60 subjects used as control group with no history of occupational exposure to Fe or Zinc. All study population was subjected to personal interview with specially designed questionnaire. Serum Iron and Zinc levels together with Endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) test were measured. Assessment of methylated DNA of Endothelin-1 (EDN1) and Nitric-oxide synthase-3 (NOS3) genes were performed. Results: the current study showed highly statistically significant increase of serum Iron, Zinc levels and percentage of ETP among exposed group when compared to the control with Mean ± SD 125.6±22.9, 110.9±19.2, 168±0.5 vs 63.6±15.3, 42.5±7.2, and 102.22±12.36 respectively. There was also a significant decrease of methylated DNA of EDN1and NOS3 genes among exposed group with Mean ± SD 0.71±0.3, 0.75±0.3 versus 1.51±1.01, 4.09±0.68 respectively among the control group. Serum levels of Iron and Zinc and percentage of ETP were negatively correlated with methylated DNA of
doi:10.21608/ejom.2020.118362 fatcat:yi7reuusobdk3ohtrr2hnzttx4