Evaluation of hematological, biochemical and antioxidant parameters in physicians exposed to waste of anesthetic gases during their medical residency

Abstract

The human biomonitoring can be used in the occupational exposure to waste anesthetic gases for a better understanding and elucidation of possible toxic effects that this exposure may cause, especially in young exposed professionals. Our research group measured, for the first time in Brazil, the concentration of waste anesthetic gases in operating rooms from "Hospital das Clínicas (HC) of Botucatu", and showed high anesthetic pollution. Thus, this innovative study aims to evaluate possible hematological, biochemical and antioxidant effects in physicians exposed to waste anesthetic gases during their first year of medical residency. This follow-up will be performed in a tertiary hospital in 25 physicians who work in operating room and are occupationally exposed to modern anesthetics, including isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane, together with nitrous oxide. Blood samples will be collected prior to the start of the medical residency program in anesthesiology and surgery (before exposure) and after six months and one year of exposure. Liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) will be evaluated, in addition to a blood count. Antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as the thiols (SH) will be analyzed for the antioxidant system. Thus, the possible early effects of waste anesthetic gases will be known on the health of the newly exposed professionals, contributing to this important and still neglected theme. (AU)