Biomarkers of genetic damage in humans exposed to benzene
- Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Haz. Mat. Lab., Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Chinese Academy Prevent. Med., Beijing (China)
- Shanghai Hygiene/Anti-Epidemic Center, Shanghai (China)
- Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver (Canada)
In order to study genetic damage caused by benzene, 44 workers exposed on average to 31 ppm benzene were compared to a control group matched for sex, age, and smoking. Blood samples were processed for the analysis of micronuclei in binucleated lymphocytes, and chromosome rearrangements and aneuploidy by standard methods and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Twenty-three exposed subjects and 22 controls were heterozygous for the red blood cell glycophorin A (GPA) M and N alleles, and were evaluated for the frequency of variant cells (V{sub f}). The GPA V{sub f} was twice as high in the benzene-exposed workers as in controls, with the major being NN (p<0.001). This increase was significantly associated with cumulative lifetime benzene exposure (p=0.032). Thus, benzene causes mutation at the GPA locus in the human bone marrow that are gene-duplicating in nature. Scoring and analysis of micronucleus levels, chromosome aberrations, and chromosomal damage using probes specific for chromosomes 7, 8, and 9 are currently in progress. A variety of metabolic and susceptibility markers are also being measured. These studies should provide a better understanding of the magnitude and nature of genetic damage produced by benzene in humans.
- OSTI ID:
- 88917
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9405324--; CNN: Grant ROI ES 06721; Grant P42ESO4705
- Journal Information:
- Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Journal Issue: Suppl.23 Vol. 23; ISSN 0893-6692; ISSN EMMUEG
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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