Iranian Journal of

Background and Objective: Present study aimed to investigate response of metallothionein (MT) in oyster Crassostrea sp. to the experimental concentrations of Hg and Cd in order to assess the possibility of MT usage as a biomarker of Hg and Cd contamination in this mollusk. Materials and Methods: Oysters were collected from docks of Imam Khomeini Port. After seven days acclimation period in laboratory, they were exposed with Hg at concentrations of 15 and 75 µg.L^-1 and Cd at concentrations of 15 and 150 µg.L^-1 for 14 days. MT levels were measured through spectrophotometric method after extraction and precipitation. After preparation and acid digestion, the concentration of heavy metals was quantified by atomic absorption. Results: The amounts of MT in oysters exposed with Hg and Cd were significantly increased compared with control samples (P<0.05). The highest value of MT biosynthesis in oysters exposed with concentrations of Hg and Cd were 137.2±7.6 and 312.4±17.9 µg.g^-1 w.w respectively. Exposing the oysters with Cd induced biosynthesis of MT more than three times compared with control samples. Among Hg and Cd, there was only significant correlation between biosynthesis of MT and Cd bioaccumulation in oysters (P<0.01). Conclusion: MT protein in oyster Crassostrea sp. can be considered as a suitable biomarker of Cd contamination in body and environment. Hence, it could be used for assessing and monitoring ecosystems.

Background and Objective: The collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a noninvasive, safe and simple technique to obtain direct samples from lung and use for estimation of the effects of air pollution on human subjects. EBC contains several compounds including simple ions, hydrogen peroxide, proteins, cytokines, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), creatine, Electrolytes, trace elements and toxic metals that are diluted by water vapor. The objective of this study was to determine biomarker IL-6 in exhaled breath condensate using an exhaled breath condensate collector.

Materials and Methods: The collector was designed and built and was used for collection and condensation of exhaled breath. EBC was taken from 36 young participants. Each person was asked to breathe for 10-15 min and the condensate was kept in a vial. The samples of exhaled breath were cooled down to -20 °C using the collector. The exhaled breath was converted to the solid/liquid mixture and then, the biomarker IL-6 was measured with ELISA (Enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay) method using HS600B R&D Kit.

Results: The mean concentration of IL-6 was 1.08 pg/mL in collected samples. The standard deviation of IL-6 concentration was 0.47. Moreover, the average volume of collected EBC was 2.3 mL, ranged between 0.3 and 3.5 mL.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the volume of the exhaled breath condensate was comparable with similar commercial devices. The average concentration of interlukin-6 was similar to the concentrations reported by other studies. Based on the findings, this equipment can be used by researchers as a suitable device for measurement of IL-6 in exhaled breath condensate.

Background and Objective: During the past few decades, air pollution has been the focus of international attention due to an increase in deaths from air pollution. In this study, Volatile Organic Hydrocarbons (VOCs) and Total Hydrocarbons (THCs) in ambient air of a Petrochemical Complex, Iran, was measured. Also, the relationship between these pollutants and some of their urinary metabolites was evaluated in the petrochemical complex workers.

Materials and Methods: These pollutants were measured in two stages, in spring (40 samples) and summer (40 samples), in ambient air of the different units of the complex. Urinary metabolites were measured in accordance with the NIOSH standard method using a GC-FID and TD/GC-MS.

Results: Total average of THCs in the spring and summer was 14.06 and 15.85 ppm, respectively; this amount was 14.09 and 16 ppm for VOCs. In summer, the highest values of VOCs (48.19 ppm) and THCs (47.63 ppm) were measured in Recovery unit. Total average of the urinary metabolites including Phenol, Phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) and Mandelic Acid (MA) was 16.67, 34.8, and 67.24 mg/g creatinine respectively; in spring, it was 15.34, 57.34, 30.5 mg/g creatinine respectively

Conclusion: Background variables such as age, weight, and smoking habit had different impacts on the level of metabolites. The values of measured pollutants were lower than the guideline values proposed by the American Association of Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). In addition, the values of measured metabolites in urine were less than the biological exposure index (BEI) provided by ACGIH.