Association between plasma CC16 levels and lung function changes in coke oven workers: A cohort study from 2014 to...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Medicine
• Pulmonary Toxicology

Background:

• Club cell secretory protein (CC16) is a biomarker for lung epithelial health and permeability.
• Epidemiological evidence on the impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on CC16 levels and long-term lung function is limited.
• Coke oven workers face significant exposure to PAHs, posing risks to respiratory health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of PAHs exposure on plasma CC16 levels in coke oven workers.
• To examine the association between baseline CC16 levels and long-term lung function changes over nine years.
• To explore the modifying roles of PAHs exposure and smoking on the CC16-lung function relationship.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of 307 coke oven workers, with baseline measurements in 2014 and nine-year follow-up.
• Measurement of urinary PAHs metabolites and plasma CC16 levels.
• Analysis using Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) for mixed PAHs effects and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models for dose-effect associations.

Main Results:

• PAHs metabolites showed a negative association with both plasma CC16 levels and forced vital capacity (FVC).
• Lower baseline CC16 levels were significantly associated with reduced FVC, FEV1, and increased small airway dysfunction risk at follow-up.
• High PAHs exposure and smoking intensified the negative association between CC16 and lung function decline.

Conclusions:

• Occupational exposure to PAHs contributes to decreased plasma CC16 levels in coke oven workers.
• Low baseline CC16 is a predictor of accelerated lung function decline over time.
• Interventions targeting PAH exposure and smoking cessation are crucial for protecting lung health in exposed workers.