[Studies on biological monitoring of adrenocortical function in workers exposed to carbon disulfide].

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of carbon disulfide on adrenocortical function and analyze and compare the various biological materials used in biological monitoring by observing the changes of adrenocortical hormones and their metabolites in blood, saliva and urine of a viscose rayon mill exposed to carbon disulfide for long-term.

METHODS

Cortisol in blood and saliva was determined by 125I-radioimmunoassay (RIA), cortisol and cortisone in urine by high performance liquid chromatogaphy (HPLC), and their metabolite 17-ketosteroid by chemical method. Data collected were analyzed by SPSS software in microcomputer to compare their difference between two groups, relationship between them and concentrations of carbon disulfide, and consistence between nontraumatic indices in saliva and urine and blood hormone.

RESULTS

Levels of adrenocortical hormones and their metabolites in blood, urine and saliva decreased in the workers exposed to concentrations of carbon disulfide exceeding the national allowable standard, and correlated closely with them. There was a good correlationship between indices in blood and in urine.

CONCLUSION

Blood cortisol, urine free cortisol, cortisone and its metabolite 17-ketosteroid all are good indices for biological effects reflecting adrenocortical function, and detection for urine cortisol and its metabolite is more practicable because of its non-traumatic features.