The Association of Serum TNF-α Levels and Blood Multi-Elements Modified by TNF-α Gene Polymorphisms in Metal Industrial Workers

Health of the metal industrial workers should be a noteworthy issue due to the hazard of chronic exposure to metals or toxic elements. The interactions among multiple elements are sophisticated and may differ from person to person. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms were supposed to be involved with the interactions because TNF-α plays an important role in inflammation, a mechanism by which toxic elements cause threats to human health. This research aimed to analyze the influence of TNF-α gene polymorphisms and multi-elements on serum TNF-α level. Blood multi-elements concentrations (lead, cadmium, arsenic, selenium, cobalt, copper, and zinc), serum TNF-α level, and TNF-α single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including −238G > A (rs361525), −308G > A (rs1800629), −857C > T (rs1799724), −863C > A (rs1800630), and −1031T > C (rs1799964), were measured in 462 metal industrial workers. We applied mixed-effect models to analyze the interactions among multi-elements and TNF-α SNPs. Blood concentration of all elements were positively associated with serum TNF-α level, and the effects may be modified by TNF-α gene polymorphisms. Our study revealed that TNF-α −308A/A and −1031C/C may be susceptible genotypes, and thus we suggest that those workers should take preventive measures against metal toxicity.