Beta-2-microglobulin (B2 M) is a low molecular weight protein biomarker in urine, used in detection of early impairment of proximal tubular function, often for biological assessment of exposure to uranium. Previous studies of beta-2-microglobulin have been hampered by small sample size, limiting ability to determine if amount, duration or chemical form of uranium affects the level of beta-2-microglobulin or other measures of urinary function. This study will explore uses of beta-2-microglobulin as a biomarker using laboratory data and occupational history information previously collected from a population of 2213 workers who formerly worked at a uranium processing plant.
Specific Aims are: 1) Characterize the beta-2-microglobulin levels in this population, and to compare their beta-2-microglobulin levels to reference intervals established for a population of unexposed community residents from the same region; Evaluate the trend over time in workers with repeated measures, and the ability of beta-2-microglobulin to predict diminished renal function; 2) Describe the relationship between beta-2-microglobulin and other parameters of renal function (serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urinary protein, blood and glucose in urine) and compare those relationships in workers to the unexposed population; 3) Characterize the historical uranium exposure to each worker by amount and duration of exposure, age at exposure, and chemical form of uranium; 4) Determine the exposure-effect relationship between parameters of uranium exposure and level of urinary beta-2-microglobulin, and levels of other measures of renal function; 5) Relate current urine uranium levels of 100 workers to historical exposure and beta-2-microglobulin level. Our access to this large population of workers with beta-2-microglobulin measures and detailed occupational history data, coupled with our knowledge of industrial processes at this site, provides a unique opportunity to study this biomarker. Understanding risk of renal disease and usefulness of beta-2-microglobulin as a biomarker will improve medical screening and intervention in aging US population workers with previous occupational uranium exposure.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01OH007976-01
Application #
6673994
Study Section
Safety and Occupational Health Study Section (SOH)
Program Officer
Newhall, Jim
Project Start
2003-09-30
Project End
2005-09-29
Budget Start
2003-09-30
Budget End
2004-09-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$302,540
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Cincinnati
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041064767
City
Cincinnati
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45221