Subclinical affection of liver and kidney function and solvent exposure

Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1993;64(6):445-8. doi: 10.1007/BF00517951.

Abstract

The role of solvents as hepato- and nephrotoxic agents under present-day exposure levels is still unclear. The purpose of this study involving 99 metal degreasers was to examine dose-response relationships between long-term exposure of mainly trichloroethylene and a battery of liver function tests and one nephrotubular enzyme test. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and urinary N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase were elevated by increasing solvent exposure at bivariate level. The significance of this relationship, however, was not able to withstand a multiple regression analysis, with age and alcohol abuse as confounding variables. The conclusion is that of a nonsignificant association between solvent exposure and tests screening for early liver and kidney dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Kidney / drug effects*
  • Kidney / physiology
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / physiology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Trichloroethylene / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Trichloroethylene