Early effects of fluoro-edenite: correlation between IL-18 serum levels and pleural and parenchymal abnormalities

Our plain-English summary of Early effects of fluoro-edenite: correlation between IL-18 serum levels and pleural and parenchymal abnormalities, by C. Ledda, C. Loreto, S. Matera, et al (Future Oncology, 2016).

The study

• Authors: C. Ledda, C. Loreto, S. Matera, N. Massimino, E. Cannizzaro, A. Musumeci, M. Migliore, C. Fenga, C. Pomara, V. Rapisarda
• Journal: Future Oncology
• Published: 2016;12(23s):59-62
• Cited by: 25 articles, as counted by NIH iCite
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher

Abstract

Fluoro-edenite (FE) is a natural mineral asbestos-like fibrous species first isolated in Biancavilla, Sicily. In order to clarify potential involvement of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of FE-induced chest abnormalities, we analyzed IL-18 serum levels in FE-exposed workers (FEEW) and correlated them with pleural and parenchymal abnormalities. A total of 21 FEEWs, residing in Biancavilla for >30 years, with a working seniority of 17 ± 6.1 years were examined. High-resolution computed tomography scans revealed low grade of fibrosis in 8 (38%) FEEWs, and pleural plaques (PPs) in 13 (62%) FEEWs. The mean IL-18 level was 203.13 ± 90.43 pg/ml. Pearson correlation showed a significant association (p < 0.0001) between IL-18 and PPs and parenchymal abnormality scores. Data suggest a potential role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of these diseases.

In plain English

This study looked at fluoro-edenite, an asbestos-like natural fibrous mineral first identified in Biancavilla, Sicily. Between June and November 2015, 30 construction workers exposed to fluoro-edenite in the Biancavilla area were invited during routine occupational health checks. Nine were excluded: six for systemic disease and medication use, and three for previous asbestos exposure. That left 21 men. Eighteen (86%) had handled gravel from the Mt Calvario quarry until 1998. All had renovated houses built in the 1950s, when lava from the quarry was widely used as a building material. The workers had high-resolution chest CT scans, breathing tests and a blood test for IL-18, an inflammatory signaling protein. Scans showed low-grade fibrosis in 8 (38%) and pleural plaques in 13 (62%), six of them with calcifications. Seven (33%) had a mild restrictive breathing defect. Mean IL-18 was 203.13 pg/ml (standard deviation 90.43). IL-18 levels were significantly associated with pleural plaque scores and with lung tissue abnormality scores (p less than 0.0001). The authors concluded that these preliminary results point to a potential role for IL-18 in these diseases, while the mechanisms remain unknown.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: Correlation study in a single group of exposed workers, relating blood IL-18 levels to chest CT findings using regression and Pearson correlation
• Who was studied: 30 fluoro-edenite-exposed construction workers living and working in the Biancavilla area (Sicily) were invited between June and November 2015. After exclusions, 21 remained: all male, resident in Biancavilla for over 30 years, mean age 49.0 years, mean working seniority 17 years. Five (24%) were smokers.
• Exposure: Fluoro-edenite fibers from construction work. 18 (86%) had handled and mixed gravel from the Mt Calvario quarry until 1998. All had renovated houses built in the 1950s, a time when lava from the quarry was extensively used as a building material.
• Main results:
  • HRCT showed low-grade fibrosis in 8 (38%) of the 21 workers (one unilateral, seven bilateral)
  • Pleural plaques were found in 13 (62%) workers, with calcifications in 6 (29%)
  • The mean pleural plaque score was 3.2 and the mean parenchymal abnormality score was 1.5
  • Mean serum IL-18 in the workers was 203.13 pg/ml, standard deviation 90.43
  • IL-18 was significantly associated with pleural plaque scores (R squared 0.7457) and with parenchymal abnormality scores (R squared 0.6631), p less than 0.0001
  • Mean breathing test values were within the normal range for all participants. A mild restrictive respiratory defect was detected in 7 (33%) workers.
• The authors' conclusion: The authors concluded that their preliminary results underscore a potential role for IL-18 in the development of fluoro-edenite-related pleural plaques and parenchymal abnormalities. They said further studies are needed.
• Limitations the authors state:
  • The authors described their results as preliminary and stated that the mechanisms leading to IL-18 release in these abnormalities are not yet known

Topics

The National Library of Medicine indexes this study under subjects our site covers: Pleural plaques and thickening.

Medical terms in this study, explained in our Lexicon: fluoro-edenite, Biancavilla, Fibrosis, Pleural Plaques.

Related studies

• High risk of pleural plaques and parenchymal abnormalities in women living in Biancavilla (Italy) — C. Ledda, C. Loreto, et al. (2016)
• Occupational exposure to fluoro-edenite and prevalence of anti-nuclear autoantibodies — V. Rapisarda, C. Loreto, et al. (2018)
• Fibulin-3 immunoexpression in malignant mesothelioma due to fluoro-edenite: a preliminary report — R. Caltabiano, C. Loreto, et al. (2018)
• Immunohistochemical Expression of Aquaporin-1 in Fluoro-Edenite-Induced Malignant Mesothelioma: A Preliminary Report — G. Angelico, R. Caltabiano, et al. (2018)
• Mineral fibre toxicity: expression of retinoblastoma (Rb) and phospho-retinoblastoma (pRb) protein in alveolar epithelial and mesothelial cell lines exposed to fluoro-edenite fibres — G. Musumeci, V. Cardile, et al. (2011)
• Angiogenesis correlates with macrophage and mast cell infiltration in lung tissue of animals exposed to fluoro-edenite fibers — G. Musumeci, C. Loreto, et al. (2016)

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