Sulfur mustard and biological ageing: A multisystem biological health score approach as an extension of the allostatic load in Sardasht chemical veterans.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Mustard gas as a chemical weapon has been used in wars and its long-term side effects are substantial in the human body. This study was aimed to apply an extension of allostatic load, known as synthetic biological health score (BHS), including the wear-and-tear of four physiological systems (endocrine, inflammatory, cardiovascular and metabolic systems) and two organs (liver and kidney) to estimate biological aging caused by sulfur mustard (SM) gas poisoning.

METHODS:

The plasma samples were prepared from two following groups of people; 1) 446 individuals exposed to SM gas in 1987. 2) 115 healthy members, at the same range of age and residence, as the non-exposed group. These people were chosen from the same patients' families and have not had any exposure to SM or pulmonary dysfunction. To estimate BHS, 18 blood-derived biomarkers of the mentioned systems and organs were measured and the relative contribution of many social and body parameters across the age groups was explored.

RESULTS:

It was revealed, in BHS calculation, the cardiovascular system had the most effect. Also, in the SM group, BHS was significantly higher than in the control group. This feature has a positive correlation with physical parameter (BMI) and a negative correlation with social parameters (salary and educational levels).

CONCLUSION:

The multisystem BHS could be useful in the evaluation of biological aging due to SM exposure. Social (education, good-paying job) and physical (BMI) parameters could influence BHS and the higher BHS indicates the progress of biological aging due to mustard gas.

• Authors: Leila Nasiri, Mohammad-Reza Vaez-Mahdavi, Hossein Hassanpour, Sussan Kaboudanian Ardestani, Nayere Askari
• Journal: International immunopharmacology (Int Immunopharmacol) Vol. 101 Issue Pt B Pg. 108375 (Dec 2021) ISSN: 1878-1705 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 34810125 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Chemical Warfare Agents
• Mustard Gas

Topics

• Adult
• Aging (drug effects)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Case-Control Studies
• Chemical Warfare
• Chemical Warfare Agents (toxicity)
• Humans
• Iran
• Middle Aged
• Mustard Gas (toxicity)
• Veterans