Genetic instability assessed by telomere length and micronucleus in physicians exposed to anesthetics

Abstract

This study evaluated both telomere length (TL) and micronucleus (MN) as indicators of genome instability in 40 anesthesiologists occupationally exposed to anesthetics and in 40 physicians without occupational exposure to anesthetics who were matched by age, sex, and lifestyle. Blood and buccal samples were collected from both groups at the same period. Anesthetic exposure assessment was performed. The studied groups were assessed regarding relative TL by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and MN by buccal MN assay. Mean trace concentrations of anesthetics were below two parts per million. No significant differences between groups were found for both biomarkers. However, MN frequency was slightly increased (1.9-fold; p = .094) in the exposed group compared to the control group and in the exposed males (2.4-fold; p = .090) compared to unexposed males. TL and age showed a significant negative correlation. Anesthetic occupational exposure below recommended levels is not associated with changes in TL and MN in anesthesiologists.

Waste anesthetic gases have a significant association with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 2,732 participants

“… Braz et al (2020) [ 9 ] Cross-sectional Brazil 31/32 NA 28.7 ± 1.9 3 I, N, S 24.6 ± 3.8 20/32 NA NA 7. Braz et al (2020) [ 49 ] Cross-sectional Brazil 40/40 40/40 39 ± 14.3 3.5 I,S 25.5 ± 3.2 26/40 NA NA 8. Cakmak et al (2019) [ 34 ] Cross-sectional Turkey 46/21 13/46 32.4 ± 5.7 NA S 23.5 ± 3.2 9/46 21/46 4/46 9.…”

“…The comet assay was determined as DNA damage score (arbitrary unit) [ 4 , 9 , 26 , [31] , [32] , [33] , 44 ], percentage of DNA in comet tail [ 24 , 39 , 45 ], and comet tail length [ 25 , 33 , 36 , 39 ]. Meanwhile, studies that carried out micronuclei formation assay was divided into two groups, namely buccal [ 9 , 25 , 34 , 40 , 43 , 44 , 49 ] and lymphocyte micronuclei [ [33] , [34] , [35] , 37 , 38 , 41 , 50 , 51 ]. Chromosomal aberrations are also reported in eight studies [ 25 , [28] , [29] , [30] , 42 , 47 , 48 , 50 ].…”

“…Chromosomal aberrations are also reported in eight studies [ 25 , [28] , [29] , [30] , 42 , 47 , 48 , 50 ]. Other parameters are γH2AX/β-actin ratio [ 27 ] and relative telomere length [ 45 , 49 ].…”

Oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation and gene expression in occupationally exposed university hospital anesthesia providers

“…Interestingly, there is increasing evidence that telomere length may be affected by environmental chemicals and occupational exposures (Wong et al ., 2014; Kahl et al ., 2016). However, the effects of occupational exposure to WAGs on telomere length have been poorly investigated (Braz et al ., 2020b).…”