Micronucleus frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal mucosa cells of copper smelter workers, with special regard to arsenic exposure

Abstract

Occupational exposure in copper smelters may produce various adverse health effects including cancer which, according to available epidemiologic data, is associated mainly with exposure to arsenic. Despite a number of well-documented studies reporting an increased risk of cancer among copper smelters workers, the data on genotoxic effects in this industry are scarce. In view of the above, an assessment of micronuclei (MN) frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal epithelial cells from copper smelter workers was undertaken. Additionally, the clastogenic/aneugenic effect in lymphocytes was assessed with the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The study was conducted in three copper smelters in southwestern Poland. The subjects (n = 72) were enrolled among male workers at departments where As concentration in the air was up to at 80 microg/m(3). Exposure was assessed by measurement of arsenic concentration in urine and toenail samples. The control group (n = 83) was recruited from healthy male individuals living in central Poland who did not report any exposure to known genotoxins. The results of our study showed a significant increase in MN frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes and in buccal epithelial cells of smelter workers, compared to the controls (7.96 +/- 4.28 vs. 3.47 +/- 1.70 and 0.98 +/- 0.76 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.52, respectively). The FISH technique revealed the presence of clastogenic and aneugenic effects in peripheral blood lymphocytes in both groups. The clastogenic effect was slightly more pronounced in the smelter workers; however, the difference was not statistically significant. The mean arsenic concentrations in urine (total arsenic species) and in toenail samples in the exposed group were 54.04 +/- 42.26 microg/l and 7.63 +/- 7.24 microg/g, respectively, being significantly different from control group 11.01 +/- 10.84 microg/l and 0.51 +/- 0.05 microg/g. No correlation between As content in urine or toenail samples and the genotoxic effect was found under study.

Genotoxicity in oral epithelial cells in children caused by nickel in metal crowns

“…The proposed model allows us to conclude that there is DNA damage induced by metal ions; however, it cannot be said that this damage is exclusively due to the Ni, as it is alloyed with steel (Fe) and Cr, both metals with known genotoxic effects. Ni was used as a biomarker of indirect control of the concentrations of metal ions absorbed and metabolized via the levels excreted in urine, since this metal is eliminated in the same form as when it is absorbed, Ni (II), without interacting with the metabolism (Danadevi et al, 2004;Lewinska et al, 2007). Population studies assessing the number of micronucleated cells in subjects with orthodontic devices have shown increases within 30 days after the placement of these devices.…”

Genotoxicity surveillance programme in workers dismantling World War I chemical ammunition

“…Moreover, no signiWcant associations between the studied genotoxicity endpoints and the exposure level, as measured by the number of dismantling days, could be established for the plant-exposed workers (data not shown). A lack of correlation between cytogenetic eVects and urinary As species has been previously reported in other human biomonitoring studies (Palus et al 2005;Paiva et al 2006;Lewinska et al 2007) and has been attributed to other genotoxic agents present in the working environment. In line with these studies, the results of the present investigation seem to suggest that the eVects of other genotoxic factors superimposed on the potential eVect of iAs, causing the observed diVerences in biomarker levels.…”

“…This is the case, for example, in copper smelters, where workers are exposed to a mixture of inorganic arsenic (iAs) and other compounds (e.g., gases, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and air particles containing heavy metals; Palus et al 2005;Paiva et al 2006;Lewinska et al 2007). Another example of mixed occupational exposure is represented by the dismantling plants for chemical weapons.…”

Evaluation of a suitable DNA damage biomarker for human biomonitoring of exposed workers

“…The exfoliated buccal cells can be rapidly and noninvasively collected in large numbers, more easily than lymphocytes. The MN assay was first used in exfoliated buccal cells by Stinch and Rosin [1983], and was subsequently used in several studies to evaluate the genotoxic effects of different chemical substances [Torres-Bugarìn et al, 1998;Majer et al, 2001;Benova et al, 2002;Burgaz et al, 1999Burgaz et al, , 2002MartinoRoth et al, 2003;Torres-Bugarìn et al, 2004;Cavallo et al, 2005Cavallo et al, , 2006aCavallo et al, , 2006bChandrasekhar et al, 2006;Heuser et al, 2007;Lewińska et al, 2007;Speit et al, 2007]. The presence of MN in epithelial cells reflects a genotoxic event that occurred in the dividing basal layer 1-3 weeks earlier.…”