Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and DNA Damage in Structural Firefighters: An Analysis of IL-6, TBARS, and BPDE-DNA Adducts
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Date
2025-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Firefighters are routinely exposed to combustion byproducts, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are linked to increased oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and genotoxicity. Biomarkers such as Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE-DNA) adducts can assess the biological impact of PAH exposure. We recruited firefighters from various fire departments in the Columbus metropolitan area between 2016 and 2023 through advertisements. Our recruitment targeted both firefighters diagnosed with cancer (cases) and those with no cancer history (controls). After recruitment, participants completed a questionnaire providing baseline information, including biological age, job tenure, height, medical history (including self-reported cancer diagnosis), smoking habits, and firefighting history. This study analyzes a subset of participants, with blood samples taken from consenting structural firefighters. We processed these samples to assess specific biomarkers: TBARS, which measures lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress; IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine reflecting the body's immune response to stress and toxin exposure. This study aims to conduct a preliminary analysis of PAH exposure, oxidative stress, and inflammation among structural firefighters.
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Keywords
Structural Firefighters, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE-DNA) adducts