Urinary levels of proteins and metabolites in workers exposed to toluene

✍ Scribed by T. P. Ng; S. G. Ong; W. K. Lama; M. G. Jones; C. K. Cheung; C. N. Ong

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag
• Year: 1990
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 361 KB
• Volume: 62
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0340-0131
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00397847

✦ Synopsis

We measured urinary excretion of albumin and retinol-binding proteins to investigate the occurrence of early renal dysfunction in 45 paint workers exposed principally to toluene, and in the same number of unexposed control subjects mat%,mu ,Iuividually for sex and age Two biological indicators of personal toluene absorption, namely urine hippuric acid and o-cresol, were also measured in the exposed subjects A significantly higher level and increased prevalence of elevated retinol-binding protein in the urine of exposed workers was found, whereas no significant difference in urinary albumin concentration was seen between the two groups Urinary concentrations of retinol-binding protein was correlated (r= O 399, P < O 006) with that of o-cresol, but not with hippuric acid or employment duration The results suggest a dose-dependent early tubular effect due to toluene exposure that might be useful for monitoring individuals exposed to toluene at work.