Occupational and Environmental Exposure Influences the Inflammatory (Pro-and Anti-) Status in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and Prostate Carcinoma Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

Indian J Clin Biochem. 2024 Apr;39(2):241-247. doi: 10.1007/s12291-023-01112-9. Epub 2023 Jan 13.

Abstract

Multiple diseases and disorders are connected with occupational and environmental exposure risk. It is also well-established that chemicals and chemical mixtures have an influence on the immune cells of humans. This is an important field of research that has been pursued extensively in relation to autoimmune illnesses, allergy/asthma, and lung cancer, but Prostate Carcinoma has received rare reports. Chronic chemical exposure is known to produce inflammation, which is one of the most prominent characteristics of all malignancies. Changes in the ratio of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory molecules are thought to be a key factor in the emergence of inflammation. Prostate gland cells express the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18), which is a major facilitator of immunological responses. Conversely, interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that is linked to immune responses and inhibits the development of an inflammatory environment. Our goal is to investigate the inflammatory status of IL-18 (pro-) and IL-10 (anti-) in a variety of occupationally exposed populations in patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) and patients with Prostate Carcinoma. The present study was conducted with 664 subjects, comprising 285 Prostate Carcinoma patients, 94 BPH patients and 285 controls. The subjects of BPH and Prostate Carcinoma were screened and confirmed on the basis of Prostate Serum Antigen (PSA) and pathological biopsy. All subjects were categorized as per their occupational exposure into various groups. The pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory Interleukins (IL-18 and IL-10) and serum PSA levels were analysed by using corresponding quantitative ELISA kits. The results showed that as compared to control participants, the serum PSA levels were higher in the Prostate Carcinoma and BPH groups. When mean levels of IL-18 were compared between various occupational groups, Tanners (tanning industry), Agriculture, and Ordnance workers had significantly higher levels (P < 0.05) of IL-18 than sedentary workers. The pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-18) levels were also found to be aggravated in Prostate Carcinoma compared to BPH and controls. According to the findings of the current study, the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-18 and IL-10) in various occupational groups of BPH, Prostate Carcinoma, and controls were altered. Long-term occupational exposure may have a negative influence on inflammation levels and the immune system; therefore, preventative measures should be explored for improved health.

Keywords: Agriculture; Drivers; IL-10; IL-18; Occupational exposure; Ordnance; Prostate Carcinoma; Sedentary workers; Tanners.