8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine in leukocyte DNA and urine of quartz-exposed workers and patients with silicosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine radical-induced DNA damage and its elimination in workers exposed to quartz and in patients with silicosis, and to assess the relationship of these effects to lung function.


METHODS
Blood and spontaneous urine samples were obtained from active, quartz-exposed workers without silicosis (n = 63), and from retired workers with silicosis (n = 42). Levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were determined in peripheral blood leukocyte DNA and urine, by the use of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultra violet- (UV) and electrochemical detection.


RESULTS
No significant differences in the mean levels of 8-OHdG in leukocyte DNA and of urinary excretion of 8-OHdG were found between silicosis patients and quartz-exposed healthy workers. However, in the group of silicosis patients with increased oxidative DNA damage the urinary excretion of 8-OHdG was lower than in the corresponding group of active workers without silicosis. In the case of silicosis, urinary 8-OHdG correlated positively, and 8-OHdG in DNA correlated negatively, with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Healthy workers with a personally estimated high dust exposure in the workplace showed higher levels of 8-OHdG in DNA than did workers with moderate dust exposure. No association of 8-OHdG formation and/or elimination with duration of employment, field of activity, smoking or age was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that a less effective repair of 8-OHdG is associated with a higher degree of pulmonary airway obstruction in patients with silicosis.
Pilger
A
A
Department of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital for Internal Medicine IV, Vienna, Austria. alex.pilger@akh-wien.ac.at
Germadnik
D
D
Schaffer
A
A
Theiler
A
A
Pils
P
P
Sluka
F
F
Winker
N
N
Rüdiger
H W
HW
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004249:DNA Damage; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D011791:Quartz / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D012829:Silicosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D015415:Biomarkers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011791:Quartz; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D004247:DNA; D003849:Deoxyguanosine