DNA damage and repair capacity by comet assay in lymphocytes of white-collar active smokers and passive smokers (non- and ex-smokers) at workplace.

Abstract

The comet assay has been widely used to quantify DNA damage in isolated lymphocytes from subjects exposed to several environmental or occupational substances, especially for estimation of oxidative damage in the DNA, which is well-known to be induced by tobacco smoke. Passive smoking or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been included among those substances that cause cancer with sufficient evidence in humans. In this study, we analyzed, by the alkaline version of comet assay, the lymphocyte DNA damage of white-collar active smokers and non- and ex-smokers exposed to ETS at the workplace. We investigated basal DNA damage, DNA oxidation by formamidopyrimidine glycosylase (Fpg), the repair capacity H2O2-induced DNA damage by kinetics studies and lymphocyte GSH levels, the major intracellular defense against exogenous oxidative stress imposed by cigarette smoking. Our results indicated high basal DNA damage with clear significant correlations with urinary nicotine and cotinine, number of cigarettes/day, and an inverse significant correlation with GSH cellular content in active smokers. Significant Fpg-sensitive sites were found in smokers (> 85%), considerably high but not significant in passive non- and ex-smokers (> 51% and 37%, respectively). The DNA repair capacity had seriously decreased in non-smokers > smokers > ex-smokers, while the same damage was repaired in a short time in never smokers.

• Authors: Maria Enrica Fracasso, Denise Doria, Paola Franceschetti, Luigi Perbellini, Luciano Romeo
• Journal: Toxicology letters (Toxicol Lett) Vol. 167 Issue 2 Pg. 131-41 (Dec 01 2006) ISSN: 0378-4274 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 17027201 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants, Occupational
• Biomarkers
• Tobacco Smoke Pollution
• Nicotine
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• DNA-Formamidopyrimidine Glycosylase
• Glutathione
• Cotinine

Topics

• Adult
• Air Pollutants, Occupational (adverse effects)
• Biomarkers (urine)
• Comet Assay
• Cotinine (urine)
• DNA Damage
• DNA Repair
• DNA-Formamidopyrimidine Glycosylase (pharmacology)
• Female
• Glutathione (metabolism)
• Humans
• Hydrogen Peroxide (toxicity)
• Lymphocytes (drug effects)
• Male
• Nicotine (urine)
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects)
• Smoking (adverse effects, metabolism)
• Tobacco Smoke Pollution (adverse effects)
• Workplace