[Increased DNA damage of lymphocytes in Korean male smokers].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of DNA damage in human lymphocytes caused by smoking and other lifestyle factors.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 173 normal healthy male adults from 21 to 59 years old. The demographic and lifestyle variables were obtained from administered questionnaires. The level of lymphocytic DNA damage in the peripheral blood was evaluated by the Comet assay. Statistical analyses were done by general linear model analysis and Dunnett's multiple comparison.


RESULTS
The difference in DNA damage between smokers and non-smokers was statistically significant. The means for the Tail%DNA were found to be 10.48 in the current smokers and 9.60 in the non-smokers (p < 0.05). The tail moment means were 1.58 and 1.45 (p < 0.05) for the current smokers and non-smokers, respectively. The number of cigarettes smoked per day did not result in a significant difference in the level of DNA damage among the smokers. Other lifestyle factors such as age, and drinking and exercise habits were not related to DNA damage.


CONCLUSIONS
The DNA damage in the lymphocytes of smokers was found to be significantly higher than that for non-smokers. However, the number of cigarettes smoked per day was not related to DNA damage. Further study is needed to evaluate the relationship between the amount of smoking and level of damage to DNA. In addition, the status of DNA repair activities should be assessed.
Lee
Joohyun
J
Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine and Postgraduate Studies of Public Health, Graduate School, Korea University.
Lee
Eunil
E
Oh
Eunha
E
Lee
Juneyoung
J
Sul
Donggeun
D
Kim
Jooja
J
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*