[Factors related to Glycophorin A mutation frequency of workers exposed to benzene.].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze related factors which affect GPA mutation frequency of workers exposed to benzene, with the Glycophorin A (GPA) mutation assay and explore the possibility of GPA mutation frequency as an index of predicting the risk of benzene poisoning.


METHODS
The erythrocytes were bound with fluorescent-labeled monoclonal antibody after isolated and fixed from the peripheral blood, and then the GPA mutation assay was performed using the flow cytometry (FCM). The related factors of GPA mutation frequency were analyzed by statistical methods.


RESULTS
The GPA mutation frequency of chronic benzene poisonings was significantly higher than that of their controls (P < 0.05). Significant direct correlation was found between age, length of service, accumulative exposure score and the GPA mutation frequency of workers exposed to benzene (P < 0.01). However, there was significantly inverse correlation between the 3AB index and the GPA mutation frequency (GPAN0: r(s) = -0.589, P < 0.01, GPANN: r(s) = -0.615, P < 0.01). In the multiple factor regression analysis on GPA mutation frequency, benzene exposure and individual susceptibility both entered model of multiple factors analysis, the coefficient of determination of benzene-exposed workers was 0.819.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to benzene and individual susceptibility are the most important factors that affect GPA mutation frequency. GPA mutation frequency increases with the benzene exposure and individual susceptibility.
You
Li
L
Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science Tianjin 300192, China.
Zhao
Yong-Cheng
YC
Zhao
Wan-Xin
WX
Liu
Qiang
Q
Li
Ke-Qiu
KQ
Shi
Da-Wei
DW
Gu
Jin-Long
JL
Wang
Ji-Xian
JX
D001554:Benzene / Q000506:poisoning; D006021:Glycophorins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D059645:Mutation Rate; D016273:Occupational Exposure
D006021:Glycophorins; D001554:Benzene