Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Role of Apoptosis in Dermatotoxic and Carcinogenic Effects in Some Asphalt Road Paving Egyptian Workers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt

2 Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt

3 Dermatology, STDs, and Andrology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt

Abstract

This study aimed firstly to assess the dermatotoxic and carcinogenic risk associated with chronic asphalt fumes exposure, and secondly to investigate the cancer causal relationship by examining the expression pattern of P53, Bax and Bcl-2 apoptotic proteins in skin specimens from road paving workers. The study was conducted on one hundred and fifty two male subjects classified into 122 asphalt fumes exposed workers and 30 non exposed workers; skin examination and skin biopsies were obtained from all participants after written consent. Biopsies were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Results showed that 58.19 % of exposed workers had erythema, itching, excoriations, chronic dermatitis, chemical keratosis, keratoacanthoma (K.A) and 7.38% of exposed workers had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Imunohistochemically, wild type P53 was significantly higher in all asphalt exposed workers and mutant type P53 was significantly higher in SCC lesions when compared with control. A significant increase in Bax expression was observed in all exposed workers.A significant decrease in Bcl-2 expression was noted in all workers while none of SCC cases were positive for Bcl-2. It could be concluded that chronic exposure to asphalt fumes may increase the risk for developing dermatotoxic and/or cancer through disturbing P53, Bax and Bcl-2 apoptotic proteins

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