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ANALYSIS OF NASAL TISSUE FOR BIOMARKERS OF CHLORINE EXPOSURE
Citation:
SOCHASKI, M., A. M. JARABEK, AND M. E. ANDERSEN. ANALYSIS OF NASAL TISSUE FOR BIOMARKERS OF CHLORINE EXPOSURE . Presented at 27th Annual Meeting of the American College of Toxicology, Indian Wells, CA, November 05 - 08, 2006.
Description:
Both 3-chloro-tyrosine (CT) and 3,5-dichloro-tyrosine (dCT) are sensitive and specific biomarkers for evaluating exposure to chlorine gas (Cl2) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Previous investigations have focused on the formation of CT and dCT resulting from biochemical responses to a variety of pathologies (e.g. myeloperoxidase generation of HOCl during inflammation). These investigations have demonstrated statistically significant increases in CT and/or dCT in the tissues of interest. To date, however, there have been no publications on the use of CT and dCT for assessing exposures to chlorinating chemicals in the environment. In order to have a diagnostic tool available for assessing both the severity of chlorine exposure as well as investigating the distribution of chemical damage within the nasal cavity, we have developed a modified sample work-up procedure coupled to a sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometric method for the analysis of CT and dCT in nasal tissue. We have applied this method to the analysis of 4 different nasal tissue locations (Lateral wall respiratory epithelium, septal respiratory epithelium, septal olfactory epithelium, and ethymoid olfactory epithelium) at 3 different chlorine concentrations (0.5, 1.5, or 2.5 ppm) and 3 different flow rates (100, 200, or 400 mL/min). Analysis of these tissues has revealed a statistically significant dose dependant increase in CT and, to a lesser extent, dCT for all chlorine exposure groups. In addition, a spatial distribution of CT and dCT was observed within the nasal cavity with preferential formation occurring in the lateral respiratory epithelium. This abstract does not represent EPA policy.