Iranian Journal of War and Public Health

Introduction: Sulfur mustard (SM) as an effective chemical agent was used recently in the Iraq war against Iran. Currently more than 40,000 chemical casualty of war left with lung lesions caused by mustard gas.

This combination induce the production of oxygen free radicals are molecules that activate inflammatory processes. Heme Oxigenase is one of the important proteins that decrease the harmful effects of free radicals and involved in many cellular functions such as oxidant/antioxidant system balance in respiratory system.

Methods: 12 biopsy samples of the airway wall (8 chemical samples and 4 control samples) obtain by bronchoscopy. After fixation in Parafrmaldehyd 4%, 20 microns slices were prepared by Cryostat. The expression of HO1, a polymorphism of HO, by immunohistochemistry method in samples of veterans and control groups analysed and were compared.

Results: SM exposed samples were immunonegative for HO1 antibodies in compare to unexposed patients, while Normal ones expressed in high intensity in epithelium as a basal expression.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that this molecule play an important role in protecting cells against oxidative stress, including the poisoning of SM. So it concluded that the absence of this protective factor may be cause for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and continuity of problem.