Comparison of micronuclei frequencies in mono-, bi- and poly-nucleated lymphocytes from subjects of a residential suburb and subjects living near a metallurgical plant.
Spontaneous baseline frequencies of micronuclei in mono-, bi- and poly-nucleated lymphocytes were analyzed, using the cytokinesis-block technique, in 103 subjects living in a residential suburb (Genova-Nervi), and in 203 subjects living in an urban industrialized area near a metallurgical plant and a coke factory (Genova-Cornigliano). Statistical analysis showed that the average frequency of micronucleated binucleated lymphocytes (MnBNL) was significantly higher (1.42-fold) in donors of Nervi than in donors of Cornigliano living in a contaminated environment. In contrast, the average frequency of micronucleated polynucleated lymphocytes (MnPNL) was significantly higher (1.66-fold) in donors of Cornigliano than in donors of Nervi. The existence in the whole population examined of a positive correlation between frequency of MnBNL and frequency of MnPNL and the absence of a positive correlation between frequency of bi- and poly-nucleated lymphocytes and frequency of MnPNL suggest that the formation of MnPNL is a consequence of genetic damage and not of mitotic errors arising during the division of bi- and poly-nucleated cells. In agreement with previous findings the frequency of MnBNL increased with age and was significantly higher in females than in males; unexpectedly it was higher in non-smokers/non-drinkers than in smokers/drinkers.
Martelli
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 2, I-16132, Genoa, Italy.
Robbiano
L
L
Cosso
M
M
Perrone
C
C
Tagliazucchi
A
A
Giuliano
L
L
Aresca
G F
GF
Brambilla
G
G
D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective