Significant Positive Correlation of Plasma BPDE-Albumin Adducts to Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene in Coke Oven Workers

Objective To investigate the application of BPDE-albumin adducts as monitoring biomarkers for coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） and to explore possible relationship between BPDE-albumin adducts and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene （1-OHP） levels in them. Methods Thirty-seven coke oven workers from a coke plant and 47 controls without the occupational exposure to PAHs were recruited in this study. The levels of plasma BPDE-albumin adducts and urinary 1-OHP were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Results The median levels of BPDE-albumin adducts （42.10 fmol/mg albumin） and urinary 1-OHP （5.46 μmol/mol creatinine） were significantly higher in coke oven workers than in controls （14.16 fmol/mg albumin, 2.96μmol/mol creatinine, respectively; P〈0.01）. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that coke oven workers were at higher risk of having BPDE-albumin adduct levels above 25.30 μmol/mg albumin （OR=1.79, P〈0.01） and urinary 1-OHP levels above 4.13 μmol/mol creatinine （OR=2.45, P〈0.05）. There was a positive correlation between the levels of BPDE-albumin adducts and urinary 1-OHP in all subjects （rs=0.349, P〈0.01）. Conclusion BPDE-albumin adduct is a useful biomarker for monitoring long-term exposure to PAHs, and plasma BPDE-albumin adducts level is significantly correlated to urinary 1-OHP levels in coke oven workers.