Single strand DNA breaks in T- and B-lymphocytes and granulocytes in workers exposed to benzene.
Comet assays were carried out to evaluate DNA damage in T- and B-lymphocytes and granulocytes from 41 workers exposed to benzene in a printing company and 41 unexposed donors. In T-lymphocytes, DNA damage was slightly higher in exposed workers than in controls. The tail moments in the two groups were 1.75+/-0.29 and 1.47+/-0.41, respectively (P<0.0006). DNA damage of B-lymphocytes in the two groups showed the most significant difference among the three cell types. The tail moments were 3.86+/-0.71 and 1.51+/-0.39, respectively (P<0.0001). In granulocytes, DNA damage was also different, the tail moments being 3.61+/-0.75 and 2.60+/-0.59, respectively (P<0.0001). The comparison of DNA damage in both groups shows that B-lymphocytes could be a useful target in biomonitoring of human exposure to low levels of benzene.
Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine and Institute for Environmental Health, Medical Science Research Center, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
Donggeun
D
Sul
Doyoung
D
Lee
Hosub
H
Im
Eunha
E
Oh
Jooja
J
Kim
Eunil
E
Lee
D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D001554:Benzene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020552:Comet Assay; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D011327:Printing; D013011:Sorbic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; C005939:muconic acid; D003404:Creatinine; D001554:Benzene; D013011:Sorbic Acid