Serum neuron-specific enolase and neurofilament level in workers exposed to n-hexane

  Objective  To study the effect of n-hexane exposure on serum level of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and neurofilament (NF).

  Methods  A total of 83 n-hexane exposed workers who had clinical symptoms and 48 non-exposed workers from a factory in Shanghai were studied. Serum NSE and serum NF were determined by ELISA. The relationship between exposure time and the two indicators was analyzed.

  Results  The airborne time weighted average concentration of n-hexane at workplaces varied from 0.54 to 70.00 mg/m³, with an average of (25.1 ±9.8)mg/m³, which did not exceed the occupational exposure limit. Among 577 exposed workers, 83 workers (the study subjects, accounting for 14.3%) had one or more clinical symptoms and abnormal signs. The serum NSE and NF concentrations of workers in exposed group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The serum NSE and NF level in the exposed group had an increasing tendency with the increment of exposure time (P < 0.01).

  Conclusions  Exposure to n-hexane may increase the expression level of NSE and NF in peripheral blood among occupationally exposed workers, which could be used as early effect markers of peripheral neuropathy caused by long-term exposure to n-hexane.