Cytological Analysis of Upper Respiratory Tract Epithelial Cells in Chrysotile Asbestos Factory Workers

Е.Ж. Отаров, Zhengisbek Zharylkassyn, Altynay Zh. Shaibek, Manara A. Mukasheva, Zhanbol B. Sabirov, Alexey Alexeyev, Asset Izdenov, Chingiz Ismailov, M. K. Tilemisov, Gulzhan Dossybayeva

2 more authors

Nurzhamal Zhaketayeva, U. S. Shaikhattarova

Life, 2025

Full text Open access: Gold Metadata (CSL-JSON)

DOI 10.3390/life15030353

Data confidence 70 medium

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the impact of prolonged occupational exposure to chrysotile asbestos on the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract and the levels of surfactant protein D (SP-D) in female workers. METHODS: Buccal epithelial cell samples were collected from 40 workers at JSC "Kostanay Minerals", fixed using the May-Grünwald method, and stained with the Romanowsky-Giemsa technique. SP-D levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Workers exposed to asbestos dust exhibited a significant increase in cytological abnormalities and higher SP-D levels compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Prolonged exposure to chrysotile-containing dust leads to degenerative changes in upper respiratory tract epithelial cells, characterized by cytological and cytogenetic abnormalities, alongside elevated SP-D levels, highlighting the need for preventive health measures.