title: Genotoxic effects of anaesthetics in operating theatre personnel evaluated by the comet assay and micronucleus test.
abstract: Genetic damage induced by anaesthetic gases in occupationally exposed populations was investigated using the comet assay and micronucleus test. The study included two groups of subjects: 50 operating theatre medical workers (anaesthesiologists, technicians and nurses) and 50 control subjects corresponding in sex, age and smoking habit. The exposed group revealed an increase in genome damage in both tests. In the comet assay, exposure to anaesthetics was a highly significant predictor of the tail length for technicians, while sex proved to be significant predictor of tail moment for women in exposed group. Micronucleus frequency increased significantly, showing threefold increase in exposed groups (RR>3.029). Univariate analysis showed significant influence of duration of exposure, while multivariate analysis showed age to be significant predictor of micronucleus frequency. The obtained results call for further, targeted investigation of exposure risk.
authors.affiliation: Mutagenesis Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia. rrozgaj@imi.hr
authors.forename: Ruzica
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rozgaj
authors.forename: Vilena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kasuba
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brozović
authors.forename: Anamarija
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jazbec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods; D009153:Mutagens / Q000009:adverse effects; D009726:Nurses; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009872:Operating Room Technicians; D009873:Operating Rooms; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D009153:Mutagens