Korean J Occup Health Nurs.  2010 May;19(1):88-96.

Influence of Epinephrine and Norepinephrine on the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome Occurrence in Workers Exposed to Hazardous Chemicals

• Heo KH
• Kim KW

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of the present study was to clarify effects of long term, low-level monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure (MAHs) such as styrene, toluene and xylene on physiological levels of epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NEP) and these hormones influences diagnosis indices of metabolic syndrome (MetS).
METHODS
Blood pressure and serum biochemical parameters were measured using digital sphygmomanometer and autochemical analyzer. EP and NEP were analyzed by using ELISA kit and exposure level of MAHs was measured by NIOSH method.
RESULTS
The differences of general characteristics such as age, smoking and drinking habits in both groups were not significantly different except working hours per day. In exposed workers, exposure levels of MAHs showed very low concentrations. Serum HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in exposed group, but concentration of NEP was significantly higher in control group. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the diagnosis indices of MetS, EP was WC (OR=0.970), NEP was blood pressure (OR=1.002) and MAHs exposure were significantly associated with HDL-cholesterol (OR=0.257), fasting glucose (OR=3.028) and MetS (OR=0.372).
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that the chronic exposure of low level MAHs maycontribute to glucose metabolism and induction of MetS. And also, changes of EP and NEP levels by exposure of MAHs affect blood pressure.

Keyword

MAHs; Male workers; Metabolic syndrome; Epinephrine; Norepinephrine

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Drinking
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Epinephrine
Fasting
Glucose
Hazardous Substances
Hydrocarbons, Aromatic
Logistic Models
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.)
Norepinephrine
Smoke
Smoking
Sphygmomanometers
Styrene
Toluene
Xylenes
Epinephrine
Glucose
Hazardous Substances
Hydrocarbons, Aromatic
Norepinephrine
Smoke
Styrene
Toluene
Xylenes