Serum beta-glucuronidase activity in a population of ex-coalminers.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate whether BGD activity is of additional value in the assessment of pulmonary inflammation caused by coal dust exposure. DESIGN AND METHODS Ex-coalminers were included in this study. Forty-eight healthy male subjects, without a relevant medical history, were used as controls. RESULTS In ex-coalminers serum BGD activity was higher compared to the control group. Moreover, ex-coalminers with a normal chest radiograph and normal serum LDH demonstrated elevated serum BGD compared to the control group. However, no relation was found in the total group of ex-coalminers between serum BGD activity and pulmonary function parameters. CONCLUSIONS Our study adds in vivo human evidence to the already existing animal data that BGD is a potential biomarker useful in monitoring pulmonary inflammation caused by coal dust exposure.