Functional and structural liver abnormalities in former PCB exposed workers - analyses from the HELPcB cohort
Andrea Kaifie1, Thomas Schettgen1, Monika Gube1,2
1a Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A
|December 12, 2018
Summary
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) exposure showed an inverse relationship with gamma-glutamyltransferase (γGT) levels and a direct association with liver size in former workers. Further surveillance is needed to understand long-term health effects.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Hepatology
- Toxicology
Background:
- The impact of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on liver health remains debated, with prior studies lacking definitive evidence.
- Animal and human studies suggested potential links between PCBs, elevated transaminase activity, and tumor promotion, but conclusive data is scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of PCB exposure on liver function and morphology in a cohort of occupationally exposed individuals.
- To conduct a longitudinal analysis over five years examining PCB concentrations against liver enzyme levels and sonographic findings.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study over 5 years analyzing PCB concentration in former exposed workers.
- Measured hepatic transaminases: alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate amino transaminase (AST), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (γGT).
- Assessed liver size and structure using sonography, adjusting for confounding factors like alcohol and medication use.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse association was found between PCB concentration and γGT activity.
- No significant relationship was observed between PCB levels and AST or ALT activities.
- A significant positive association was identified between PCB concentration and liver size, independent of confounders.
Conclusions:
- PCB exposure is associated with altered γGT levels and increased liver size in humans.
- The study did not find a correlation with liver structure changes or definitive evidence for PCB's role in liver tumorigenesis within this cohort.
- Long-term health consequences, particularly regarding PCB-induced liver tumorigenesis, require ongoing surveillance.
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