Biological markers in pneumoconioses : plasma metalloendopeptidase and matrix metalloendopeptidase

Abstract : The design and validation ofbiomarkers can contribute significantly to early detection of biological effects and identification ofthose who are at risk ofcoal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). This research is designed to evaluate diflerent plasma metalloendopeptidase and metalloproteinase activities to estimate harmfui exposure in coalminers from difierent roining regions (North, Lorraine and Provence) in France and to relate the outcome to diflerences in prevalence ofCWP between these regions.