[A preliminary study on body level of nitric oxide in workers exposed to carbon disulfide].

OBJECTIVE

To study changes in body plasma level of nitric oxide (NO) in workers exposed to carbon disulfide (CS(2)) and its possible mechanism.

METHODS

Plasma levels of NO and lipid peroxide (LPO) and activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (Ery-SOD) were determined in the workers exposed and unexposed to CS(2) in a chemical synthetic fiber works.

RESULTS

Level of NO was (43.28 +/- 19.83) and (50.07 +/- 21.01) micromol/L in high- and low-dose exposed groups, respectively, significantly lower than that in the control group, which was (70.66 +/- 26.83) micromol/L (P < 0.05). Activity of Ery-SOD was 4 832.21 u/g Hb and 3,520.80 u/g Hb in high- and low-dose exposed groups, respectively, significantly higher than that in the control group, which was 2,425.34 u/g Hb (P < 0.05). Level of LPO was 19.38 and 17.09 micromol/L in high- and low-dose exposed groups, respectively, significantly higher than that in the control group, which was 4.37 micromol/L (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Occupational long-term exposure to CS(2) could induce reduction of NO level in the body with its mechanism related to increase of super-oxygen cation O(2)(*-) induced by CS(2).