Features of immune regulation in working at the enterprise for the production of phthalic anhydride

Introduction. Employees of the chemical industry engaged in the production of phthalic anhydride are characterized by multi-level morphofunctional disorders of the health profile, characterized by an imbalance in the regulation of metabolism, sensitization of the body, membranotoxic effects, and the formation of secondary immunodeficiency.

The aim of study was to assess the immune status of workers engaged in the production of phthalic anhydride.

Materials and methods. The observation group included workers in contact with phthalic anhydride (31 persons). The comparison group consisted of administrative employees who were not in contact with phthalic anhydride (23 persons). Chemical exposure in the workplace is associated with the presence of phthalic anhydride — a harmful substance of hazard class 2. The full lymphocytes was performed on a flow cytometer FАСSСаlibur company "Beсtоn Diсkinsоn". The expression level of p53 and TNFR was determined using the corresponding MCAT. Cancer markers (CA 19-9, CEA, PSA) were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Changes in the content of phthalic anhydride-specific IgE were determined in an allergosorbent test with an enzyme label. The statistical analysis was performed using the software package Stаtistiса 6.0. The reliability of differences between the groups were considered significant at p<0.05.

Results. A significant deficiency in the content of the CD95+ cell death receptor relative to the reference level was established (p<0.05). There is a significant overexpression of the TNFR receptor in relation to the norm and the comparison group (2.5 times) (p<0.05). The level of p53 expression was significantly increased in relation to the comparison group (p<0.05). The observation group had an increased level of cancer markers CA 19-9, CEA, and PSA relative to the comparison group (p<0.05). There was a significantly increased content of IgE specific to phthalic anhydride (by its metabolite phthalic acid) in relation to the reference level (in 61.6%) and the comparison group (p<0.05). The results obtained verify the information in the scientific literature about the nature of the effect of phthalic anhydride on the immune system, its ability to cause allergic reactions (IgE specific to phthalic anhydride).

Conclusions. Thus, the employees employed at the phthalic anhydride production facility had significantly reduced CD95+ levels, overexpression of TNFR, p53, CA 19-9, CEA, PSA, as well as hyperproduction of phthalic anhydride-specific reagins, which indicates insufficient immune control over the duration of the cell life cycle, and does not exclude the development of allergic, autoimmune, and oncoproliferative scenarios of production-related pathology.

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