Features of metabolic pathology of the liver under the influence of industrial aerosols

Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of the features of the metabolic pathology of the liver under the influence of harmful industrial factors. 

The relevance of the study of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease of workers in contact with industrial aerosols is due to the high prevalence of the disease among the working-age population, the polyethological nature of the pathology, including the pathogenetic relationship with external household and occupational toxic effects.

Materials and methods. The were examined two hundred four industrial production workers, divided into four groups according to the composition of the affected aerosol: copper-nickel ore dust, welding aerosol, quartz-containing dust, carbon-based dust. The survey was conducted using the AUDIT questionnaire, examination of patients, anthropometry, ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs, biochemical blood analysis, determination of viral hepatitis B and C markers, and serum immunoglobulins.

Results. The frequency of detection of ultrasonic signs of liver damage in the examined patients who came into contact with copper-nickel aerosol dust significantly exceeds the same indicator of the studied patients who came into contact with quartz-containing dust (p < 0.05) and also exceeds the frequency of detection in the group working under the influence of carbon-based and welding aerosol (p > 0.05). Most often, an increase in the activity of liver enzymes was noted among those working in contact with copper-nickel ore dust. Significant differences were found between groups 1 and 3; 1 and 4 (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in the frequency of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism disorders and biliary tract pathology.

Discussion. The results of the study may be related to the toxic effects of the copper-nickel aerosol but may also be associated with the climatogeographic features of the workers‘ habitat.

Conclusion. The prevalence of liver diseases in the group that came into contact with copper-nickel dust was established. The revealed changes do not depend on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism features, pathology of the biliary tract. For a detailed study of liver damage in industrial workers, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth study.

Contribution:

Sheenkova M.V. — collection of material, data processing, statistical analysis, text writing, collection of literary data;

Rushkevich O.P. — data processing, text writing, discussion of results, collection of literary data;

Yatsyna I.V. — data processing, text writing, results discussion, article editing.

All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.