The relationship between the cytokine concentrations and levels of antibodies to neuronal proteins in workers who were exposed to vibration

Abstract

Neurochemical homeostasis and serum cytokine levels, as well as their relationships, were investigated in experienced workers with subclinical signs of vibration-induced health problems and in patients with vibrational syndrome. It was found that development of vibrational syndrome is accompanied by a growing imbalance of the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines; the cytokine levels reflect the severity of the pathological process. In parallel, we found changes in the levels of antibodies to neuron-specific proteins, which suggested neurochemical changes in certain specialized structures of the nerve tissue. The observed correlations between the concentrations of cytokines and antibodies to neuron-specific proteins indicate that neuroimmune networks function differently in experienced workers with subclinical signs of vibration-induced health problems and in patients with vibrational syndrome. These interactions result in initiation or regulation of autoimmune reactions that may either play a protective role (at the early disease stages) or contribute to the pathogenesis of vibrational syndrome.