Association between malondialdehyde and glutathione (L-gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine/GSH) levels on workers exposed to benzene in Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Chemicals that enter the body, especially benzene, will undergo a detoxification process. Unfortunately, at the detoxification process, sometimes benzene can produce free radicals. Free radical oxidation of lipids produces MDA compounds (malondialdehyde). To overcome these free radicals, the body will adapt to produce Glutathione (GSH) enzymes. AIM: The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between benzene concentration, MDA levels and glutathione enzymes in Shoe-Maker Home Industry workers exposed to benzene for more than 10 years. METHODS: Measurement of benzene concentration using a gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID). MDA levels used a modified spectrophotometric and GSH method of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test. RESULT: The results showed that the majority of respondents had benzene concentrations still below the TLV value, mean of MDA levels were 6.94 mg/ml, while GSH was 4.54 mg/ml. Benzene concentration did not have a significant correlation with MDA and glutathione levels, whereas MDA levels had a strong correlation with glutathione levels (p = 0.000; r =-0.947). CONCLUSION: Workers should always use PPE and always eat foods that contain lots of glutathione enzymes such as spinach or broccoli to reduce the impact of free radicals from benzene inhalation.