Abstract
The neurotoxicity of manganese (Mn) is well known, however, the neurochemical effect caused by this metal is less well investigated. In this study, urinary homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillymandelic acid (VMA), two end products of catecholamine metabolism, were measured in 39 workers chronically exposed to Mn in a manganese smelting plant. The average duration of Mn exposure was 17.4 yr. Nineteen nonexposed workers were also studied. Concentrations of Mn in serum (MnS) and in urine (MnU) were measured by Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (ZAAS), and HVA and VMA determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For Mn-exposed workers, the concentration of MnS was nearly 2.8 times (1.61 ± 0.16 mg/L vs 0.56 ± 0.16 mg/L) and MnU about 4.5 times higher (7.62 ± 0.17 mg/L vs 1.69 ± 0.16 mg/L) than the nonexposed. Although the geometric mean concentration of HVA in exposed workers was similar to that of the nonexposed (3.09 ± 1.39 mg/g ere. vs 2.99 ± 1.40 mg/g cre.), the VMA concentration was significantly higher (3.02 ± 1.43 mg/g cre. vs 2.49 ± 1.58 mg/g cre.,p = 0.033). Multiple regression analysis showed that although there were no correlations between any of these parameters with the duration of exposure to Mn, both HVA and VMA showed significant correlations with increase in MnS and MnU. These data provide evidence that exposure to Mn was associated with measurable increase in catecholamine metabolites. This finding is compatible with recent observations in laboratory animals that Mn interferes with neurochemical metabolism.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
S. E. Chia, S. C. Foo, S. L. Gan, J. Jeyaratnam, and C. S. Tian, Neurobehavioral functions among workers exposed to manganese ore,Scand. J. Work Environ. Health 19(4), 264–267 (1993).
H. Kaji, Y. Ohsaki, C. Rokujo, T. Higashi, A. Fujino, and T. Kamad, Determination of blood and urine manganese (Mn) concentrations and application of static sensography as the indices of Mn-exposure among Mn-refinery workers,Sangyo Tka Daigaku Zasshi 15(4), 287–96 (1993).
N. S. Chu, F. H. Hochberg, D. B. Calne, and C. W. Olanow, Neurotoxicology of manganese, in:Handbook of neurotoxicology, Louis W. Chang and Robert S. Dyer, eds., Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 91–103 (1995).
P. K. Seth and S. V. Chandra, Neurotoxic effects of manganese, in:Metal Neurotoxicity, Kedar N. Prasad and Stephen C. Bondy, eds., CRC, Florida, pp. 20–31 (1988).
M. S. Desole, G. Esposito, R. Migheli, et al., Cellular defense mechanism in the striatum of young and aged rats subchronically exposed to manganese,Neuropharmacology 34(3), 289–295 (1995).
M. S. Desole, G. Esposito, R. Migheli, et al., Allopurinol protects against manganeseinduced oxidative stress in the striatum and in the brainstem of the rat,Neuroscience Letters 192(2), 73–76 (1995).
R. T. Ingersoll, R. B. Montgomery, and H. V. Aposhian, Central nervous system toxicity of manganese. I. Inhibition of spontaneous motor activity in rats after intrathecal administrations of manganese chloride,Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 27(1), 106–133 (1995).
S. Stanosz, D. Kuligowski, A. Pieleszek, E. Zuk, D. Rzechula, and D. Chlubek, Concentration of dopamine in plasma, activity of dopamine beta-hydroxylase in serum and urinary excretion of free catecholamines and vanillylmandelic acid in woman chronically exposed to carbon disulphide,Int. J. Occup Med. Environ Health. 7 (3), 257–261 (1994).
X. F. Yang, B. L. Lee, A. L. New, H. Y. Ong, L. Ma, Q. Zhang, and C. N. Ong, Urinary homovanillic acid and vanillylmandelic acid in workers exposed to carbon disulfide,Am. J. Int. Med. 29, 269–274 (1996).
C. N. Ong, K. S. Chia, D. Koh, and K. Saijoh, Neurochemical effect of lead exposure: A study on catecholamine metabolism,Am. J. Ind. Med. 16, 667–673 (1989).
J. P. Buchet, C. Magos, H. Roels, E. Ceulenmans, and R. Lauwerys., Urinary excretion of homovanillic acid in workers exposed to manganese,Occupational Environmental Health.65, 131–133 (1993).
K. S. Subramanian, Determination of trace metals in blood by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer: recent studies,Atomic Spectroscopy 9(5), 169–178 (1988).
R. Lucchini, L. Sellis, D. Folli, et al., Neurobehavioral effects of manganese in workers from a ferroalloy plant after temporary cessation of exposure,Scand. J. Work Environ Health.21(2), 143–149 (1995).
M. Cole, A. W. Craft, L. Parker, et al., Urinary creatinine adjusted reference ranges for homovanillic and vanillylmandelic acid in children and adults,Clinica Chemica Acta.236, 19–32 (1995).
H. Kuzuya, K. Fujita, H. Sakamoto, et al., Simultaneous measurement of monoamines, their metabolites and precursor amino acid in plasma and urine from healthy subjects: by HPLC/multielectrode electrochemistry,Biogenic Amines.12(1), 9–18 (1996).
H. A. Roels, P. Ghyselen, J. P. Buchet, E. Leulemans, and R. R. Lauwery, Assessment of the permissible exposure level to manganese in workers exposed to manganese dioxide dust,Br. J. Ind. Med. 49(1), 25–34 (1992).
C. L. Keen and S. Z. Cherr, Manganese toxicity in humans and experimental animals, in:Manganese in Health and Disease, Dorothy J. Klimis-Tavantzis, ed., CRC, Florida, pp. 196 (1994).
A. Smargiassi, D. Mergler, E. Bergamaschi, M. V. Vettori, R. Lucchini, and P. Apostoli, Peripheral markers of catecholamine metabolism among workers occupationally exposed to manganese (Mn),Toxicology Letters 77, 329–333 (1995).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ai, L.B., Chua, L.H., New, A.L. et al. Urinary homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillymandelic acid (VMA) in workers exposed to manganese dust. Biol Trace Elem Res 64, 89–99 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02783327
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02783327