Production of IL-10, TNF and IL-12 by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Mexican Workers Exposed to a Mixture of Benzene–Toluene–Xylene

Background and AimsOccupational exposure to low-level benzene and the joint action of toluene–xylene probably cause effects on circulating monocytes immune response. We undertook this study to determine relationship between occupational exposure to benzene–toluene–xylene mixture (BTX) and IL-10, TNF and IL-12 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.MethodsExposure was estimated in 54 workers from a paint company in Mexico City through BTX accumulated potential dose (BTX-APD). Two exposure groups were formed: high and low BTX-APD established with a cutoff point at ≥1.0 of BTX-APD, as a function of the geometric mean of the estimator’s value distribution and the higher agreement between BTX-APD ≥1.0 and the areas referred as using (or not) organic solvents in the work process. IL-10, TNF and IL-12 concentrations were measured with ELISA. Through multiple linear regression models, the production of each of the proposed cytokines and of the whole set was assessed.ResultsWorkers with high BTX-APD showed a significant reduction in TNF production (β = −1,196.0 pg/mL; p = 0.01); a reduction for IL-10 (β = −520.3; p = 0.13) and IL-12 (β = −843.3; p = 0.09) was also observed, although without statistical significance.ConclusionsTNF production assessed in workers with a high BTX-APD is lower than in those with a low BTX-APD, but not in IL-10 and IL-12 production.