Detemination of dioxin concentrations in human blood before and after liposuction

Dioxins are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms and are toxic to humans. Today they are found in all humans, with higher levels commonly found in people living in more industrialized countries and exposure to these chemicals can be associated with a wide range of adverse health effects; especially involvement in cancers. The aim of our study is to determine the concentration of dioxin that passes from the adipose tissues to the blood stream by means of liposuction, and to compare the results with the existing dioxin in the blood in order to take certain precautions according to the obtained results. This study is very important since it is the first report on dioxin contamination in human blood from the Turkish population. Nine patients undergoing liposuction with a BMI exceeding 30 kg /m2 were included in the study. Blood samples were collected prior to surgery, and at 1 day and 3 months after surgery. Dioxin levels were also measured from the adipose tissue obtained through liposuction. The levels of dioxin toxins were measured by gas chromatography / tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that serum concentration of dioxin (ppt) significantly decreased after liposuction. (preoperative 0.23, postoperative1 0,17 , postoperative 30 0.15 ) (p=0.007) Liposuction leads to a redistribution of dioxins and to a moderate decrease of their total body concentration. Epinephrine, a potent vasoconstrictor added to infiltrate solution, may inhibit dioxin uptake into the systemic circulation. The results of this study demonstrated that liposuction may have a therapeutic function in acute dioxin intoxication. We believe that liposuction leads to a redistribution of dioxins and to a moderate decrease in the total body concentration that might help to reduce toxic effects.