Evaluation of cytokines, antibodies to neurotransmitter receptors, and their interrelations in individuals with hand-arm vibration syndrome

BACKGROUND: One of the primary objectives of the healthcare system in the Russian Federation is to preserve the health of the working population, as economic losses associated with the treatment and social support of individuals with occupational diseases is over 200 billion rubles. Hand-arm vibration syndrome and sensorineural hearing loss continue to prevail among the occupational pathologies. Patients with these conditions have been found to exhibit disturbances in the neuroimmune-endocrine system.

AIM: To compare, identify interrelations, and analyze the levels of cytokines and autoantibodies to neurotransmitter receptors in individuals with hand-arm vibration syndrome, depending on the presence/absence of sensorineural hearing loss and the type of vibration exposure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of interleukins (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and autoantibodies to acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA, dopamine, and serotonin receptors were studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome of various etiologies, either caused by localized vibration exposure or by combined localized and whole-body vibration exposure, with or without concurrent sensorineural hearing loss.

RESULTS: When accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss, individuals with vibration disease of any etiology exhibited higher IL-1β and IL-6 levels compared with those with hand-arm vibration syndrome due to localized vibration exposure without sensorineural hearing loss. For each subgroup, except for individuals with hand-arm vibration syndrome caused by combined localized and whole-body vibration exposure without sensorineural hearing loss, regression equations demonstrated the contribution of cytokines to the variation in antibody levels against neurotransmitter receptors.

CONCLUSION: The findings confirm a higher risk of neuroimmune inflammation in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome caused by combined whole-body and localized vibration exposure compared to those with vibration disease resulting from localized vibration alone. The presence of concurrent sensorineural hearing loss exacerbates pathological processes due to imbalances in cytokine profiles and neurotransmitter metabolism. Distinctive interrelations between autoantibodies to neurotransmitter receptors and cytokines were identified in individuals with vibration disease of various etiologies and concurrent sensorineural hearing loss.