Impact of Occupational Exposure to Metallic Welding Fumes and Smoking on Reno-Hepatocellular Homeostasis in Relation to Serum Copper Level

• Bartholomew Chukwuebuka Nwogueze

  Author

• Judith Njideka Esievo

  Author

• Mameri Taniyohwo Enaohwho

  Author

• Othuke Bensandy Odeghe

  Author

• Tochukwu Nnamdi Nnama

  Author

• Peace Omewomano Onyilo

  Author

• Emmanuel Ikemefune Ebuwa

  Author

• Patrick Ifeakachukwu Chukwusa

  Author

• Onyinye Jane-Francis Nwogueze

  Author

• Mary Isioma Ofili

  Author

Background: The study examined the effect of occupational exposure to metallic welding fumes and smoking on reno-hepatocellular homeostasis in relation to serum copper levels of welders.

Methods: Forty (40) subjects were recruited, comprising 10 welders who were smokers, 10 welder non-smokers, 10 non-welders that are smokers and 10 non-welders who were non-smokers. Blood samples were collected to estimate biochemical assays of liver and kidney parameters. The collected data were expressed in mean±SEM, and a one-way ANOVA was used for comparison between means.

Results: Findings revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the levels of serum copper of welders compared with the control group. Urea levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) in welders who were smokers, whereas, levels of serum creatinine showed a non-significant decrease in welders who were smokers compared with the control group, and other experimental groups. For the liver function assays, the activities of Aspartate aminotransferase were not significantly different from those of the control. Activities of Alanine aminotransferase were significantly increased (p<0.05) in non-welders that were smokers compared to those of the control. Remarkably, ALP activities were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in all experimental groups compared to control levels, the observed reduction was least in welders that are non-smokers. Total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels were non-significantly increased. The level of total protein was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in smokers that were non-welders compared with the control group. 

Conclusion: Exposure to fume particles from metallic welding, particularly copper, affected kidney function parameter values by significantly increasing urea levels and reducing creatinine levels in smoking welders. In summary, this study suggests that changes in serum copper levels among smoker welders may be associated with the severity of changes in kidney and liver functional status following exposure to metallic fumes with possible risk of hepatic dysfunction over time, especially when smoking is involved.

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