Perturbations in indices of oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage and lung function in chronic exposure to wood dust in Southern Nigeria.

Objectives: Oxidative stress (OS) and oxidative DNA damage accruing from chronic exposure to wood dust have been implicated in the development of chronic lung conditions among woodworkers. Indices of OS, inflammation, oxidative DNA damage and lung function in relation to duration of exposure to wood dust were assessed in woodworkers to determine their possible utility as risk evaluation indices for chronic lung conditions.

Methods: Ninety participants comprising 30 active woodworkers, 30 passive woodworkers, and 30 controls were enrolled into this cross-sectional study. The total plasma peroxides, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were determined in all participants.

Results: Woodworkers had lower PEFR, TAC, and higher malondialdehyde, OSI, hs-CRP, and 8-OHdG compared to controls ( < 0.05). Active woodworkers had higher malondialdehyde, 8-OHdG, and hs-CRP compared to passive woodworkers ( < 0.05). Increasing duration of exposure to wood dust is associated with higher malondialdehyde, hs-CRP, and 8-OHdG in active woodworkers ( < 0.05) and higher 8-OHdG and hs-CRP in passive woodworkers ( < 0.05). Negative correlation was observed between hs-CRP and TAC (=-0.367,  = 0.048) in active workers.

Conclusion: The association of exposure to wood dust with elevated indices of inflammation, OS, lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage, and reduction in antioxidants and peak expiratory flow rate; and the concomitant increase in oxidative DNA damage and inflammation with increasing duration of exposure suggest that these indices may be useful in predicting woodworkers at risk of development of chronic lung conditions.