DNA-protein crosslinks as a biomarker of exposure to solar radiation: a preliminary study in brick-kiln workers.
In India, fired clay bricks are produced in small-scale factories. There are 60, 000 active brick kilns, providing employment to nearly 12 million people in different suboccupations. This industry is largely non-mechanized and operates from November to June. Almost all the workers are exposed to direct sunlight for 8-10 h a day. Cellular DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) are the biologically active nucleoprotein complexes formed between DNA and proteins. Ultraviolet light and gamma-rays, and other suspected carcinogens in humans, induce DPC formation in blood cells. DPCs have therefore been identified as a biomarker for monitoring exposure to these hazardous agents. Here we report steady-state levels of DPCs in human peripheral lymphocytes from 46 brick-kiln workers exposed occupationally for 8-10 h a day to solar radiation in brickfields and 25 unexposed controls. A significant increase (p <0.05) in DPC content and DPC coefficients in peripheral lymphocytes was observed in the brick-kiln workers compared with the controls. The data suggest that the DPC content of lymphocytes could be a possible biomarker of exposure to solar radiation. However, further work is necessary to confirm this.
Budhwar
Roli
R
Industial Toxicology Research Center, MG Marg, Lucknow, India.
Bihari
Vipin
V
Mathur
Neeraj
N
Srivastava
Ak
A
Kumar
Sushil
S
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012907:Smoking / Q000378:metabolism; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*
D015415:Biomarkers; D011506:Proteins; D004247:DNA