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3725045 
Journal Article 
Abstract 
Copper, selenium, zinc and chromium status in occupational manganese exposed workers 
Büyükşekerci, M; Bal, C; Hocaoglu, A; Alagüney, ME; Yılmaz, OH; Tutkun, E 
2015 
1 
Toxicology Letters
ISSN: 0378-4274
EISSN: 1879-3169 
238 
2 
S147 
English 
WOS:000370693801294 
Question: Manganese (Mn) is a naturally occurring element found in many types of rocks or soil and forms compounds with oxygen, sulfur and chlorine. Mn is utilized widely in industry; mostly in steel production to improve hardness, stiffness and strength. It is also used in many products including fireworks, dry-cell batteries, paints, fertilizer, cosmetics, and as medical imaging agent. It is an essential element and is required for normal development and body function in humans. Mn either regulates/binds to a variety of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, arginase, pyruvate carboxylase. Occupational exposure to Mn occurs via inhalation of metal fume and dust which leads to adverse health effects. Exposure to high levels of airborne Mn in industries including welding, mining, Mn alloy and dry battery production can cause manganism; a neurodegenerative extrapyramidal syndrome by psychiatric symptoms. Trace elements have been contributed genuine insights into developmental neurotoxicity and they serve as paradigms for such adverse effects. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of occupationally exposure of Mn on the content of trace elements such as copper (Cu), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and chromium (Cr).

Methods: 125 manganese exposed and 155 nonexposed workers were included in this study. Measurements of blood manganese, copper, zinc, selenium and chromium levels were determined by Ankara Occupational Diseases Hospital Toxicology Laboratory using Agilent ICP-MS.

Results: The mean blood Mn level of exposed group and non-exposed group were 21.5 μg/L (18.7–66) and 5.8 μg/L (4.8–7.9) respectively (p < 0.001). The mean blood copper level of Mn exposed group was significantly higher than non-exposed group, 102 ± 19.16 μg/dl vs. 94.75 ± 16.64 μg/dl (p < 0.05). The blood mean levels of selenium, zinc and chromium were not significantly different between Mn exposed group and non-exposed group.

Conclusions: The results show that copper levels were significantly higher in manganese exposed group. This suggests that toxic metals can deteriorate the levels of essential minerals. The indifference with other metals may be due to insufficient number of patients. Prospective studies must be performed with larger study groups to establish the link and causality. 
51st Congress of the European Societies of Toxicology (EUROTOX) 
Porto, Portugal 
September 13-16, 2015