DIAGNOSTIC IMPLICATIONS OF P53 PROTEIN REACTIVITY IN NASAL-MUCOSA OF NICKEL WORKERS

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the quantitation of p53 protein reac tivity in nasal biopsies could be related to nickel exposure by compar ing nickel workers with various control groups. STUDY DESIGN: Nasal bi opsies taken from nickel workers (n = 93) were compared immunohistoche mically to various controls, including office staff members (n = 34) a nd hospital attendants (n = 6). The material was studied immunohistoch emically with p53 antibody DO-1. p53 Protein-positive cells were count ed at 400 x magnification. RESULTS: p53 Protein reactivity was found i n 54% (49/93) of nickel workers, 50% (17/34) of office staff members, 67% (4/6) of hospital attendants. No differences were seen between roa sting/smelting, electrolysis and other workers in the refinery. The po sitive cells were present predominantly in the basal layer of the epit helium. The number of positive nasal cells per field in the hospital a ttendants on the average was half of that in the workers and the offic e staff in the refinery. In no case in the control group were more tha n 10 cells per field seen. No significant differences in p53 protein p ositivity were observed between the three nickel worker groups and bet ween production workers and office staff members. CONCLUSION: Accumula tion of p53 protein in nickel workers seems not to be attributable to nickel exposure. The lack of p53 protein positivity in fetal tissues s hows that the accumulation of p53 protein is an event taking place aft er birth. Stimuli in the natural environment during life may explain p 53 protein positivity.