Biomarkers for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and serum liver enzymes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence suggests that human liver toxicity is associated with exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). METHODS: The association of urinary PAH metabolites with serum liver enzymes was tested among 288 workers at a petrochemical plant, using a general linear model (GLM) and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Urine 2-naphthol levels were positively correlated with serum AST after adjustment for covariates in GLM. Comparing third tertile versus first tertile of 2-naphthol levels, the odds ratios (OR) were elevated for abnormal serum AST levels [OR = 4.1 (95%CI 1.6-10.2)] and abnormal serum ALT levels [OR = 2.4 (95%CI 1.2-4.9)]. CONCLUSIONS: Although confounding by alcohol intake was not completely ruled out, our findings demonstrate an association between PAHs exposure and elevation in serum liver enzymes. Urinary 2-naphthol is a biomarker of exposure to PAHs that is associated with liver toxicity.