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Updated: Aug 5, 2025
Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica
Published on: October 28, 2022
Serum Concentration of Prostaglandin E2 as a Diagnostic Biomarker in Patients With Silicosis: A Case-Control Study
Aleksandar P S Milovanović1, Andjela Milovanović, Dragana Srebro
1From the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine; Belgrade, Serbia (A.P.S.M., A.M., D.S., T.P.); Serbian Institute of Occupational Health "Dr Dragomir Karajovic," Belgrade, Serbia (A.P.S.M. J.P., T.P.); Clinic for Rehabilitation, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia (A.M.); University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia (S.S.); and Center for Medical Biochemistry, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia (S.S.).
Objective:
Silicosis is a prevalent incurable pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of silica dust. Study aimed to investigate inflammatory, hematological, and biochemical parameters as additional biomarkers for diagnosing or monitoring silicosis.
Methods:
Research enrolled 14 workers with silicosis and 7 healthy controls (without exposure and silicosis). The serum level of prostaglandin E2, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, biochemical, and hematological parameters were measured. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine diagnostic sensitivity of each biomarker.
Results:
Patients with silicosis have a significantly higher level of prostaglandin E2, erythrocyte, hemoglobin, and hematocrit than patients without silicosis. Prostaglandin E2, hemoglobin, and the erythrocyte count are significant in separating the silicosis cases from healthy controls.
Conclusions:
Prostaglandin E2 might be an adjuvant peripheral diagnostic biomarker for silicosis, while hematological parameters (erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit) might be prognostic biomarkers.
