M.A. ALI

Dept. of Biophysics, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza – Egypt, P.O. Box 12613

Long-term exposure to silica has been reported to be the principal cause of silicosis which is perhaps the best-known occupational disease. In the present study, we investigated plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level as an index of lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities levels as an index of antioxidant status in silicotic patients. The exposed workers were divided into three categories according to the intensity of their exposure, which had been weak, moderate and strong. Results showed that there is a significant decrease of erythrocyte GSH, GPx and SOD as well as significant increase in MDA level in comparison with the controls. Moreover, a functional disturbance in RBC membrane occurred as revealed by alteration in hemorheological and dielectric properties. Thus the mentioned techniques seem to be reliable, rapid and sensitive for detecting erythrocytes damage cells and fulfils the requirements of biological markers for silica exposure.

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