title: Evaluating the genotoxic effects of workers exposed to lead using micronucleus assay, comet assay and TCR gene mutation test.
abstract: To evaluate the genotoxic effects of lead (Pb) exposure, 25 workers in a workplace producing storage battery were monitored for three genetic end-points using micronucleus (MN) assay, comet assay and TCR gene mutation test. Twenty-five controls were matched with workers according to age, gender and smoking. The air Pb concentration in the workplace was 1.26 mg/m(3). All subjects were measured for Pb concentration of blood by atom absorption spectrophotometry. The mean Pb concentration of blood in workers (0.32 mg/l) was significantly higher than that in controls (0.02 mg/l). The results of MN test showed that the mean micronuclei rate (MNR) and mean micronucleated cells rate (MCR) in workers were 9.04+/-1.51 per thousand and 7.76+/-1.23 per thousand, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (2.36+/-0.42 per thousand and 1.92+/-0.31 per thousand) in controls (P<0.01). It was found in the comet assay that the mean tail length (MTL) of 25 workers and 25 controls were 2.42+/-0.09 and 1.02+/-0.08 microm, respectively, there was significant difference between workers and controls for MTL (P<0.01), also the difference of the mean tail moment (MTM) between workers (0.85+/-0.05) and controls (0.30+/-0.09) was very significant (P<0.01). However, in TCR gene mutation assay Mfs-TCR of workers and controls were 1.69+/-0.15 x 10(-4) and 1.74+/-0.17 x 10(-4), respectively, there was no significant difference between workers and controls (P>0.05). The results of our study indicated that the genetic damage was detectable in 25 workers occupationally exposed to lead.
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang University, Medical College, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhijian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jianlin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.forename: Shijie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Lifen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Hongping
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Jiliang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020552:Comet Assay; D005260:Female; D019672:Genes, T-Cell Receptor / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D009154:Mutation; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017132:Workplace / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D007854:Lead