title: Evaluation of genotoxic effects of lead in pottery-glaze workers using micronucleus assay, alkaline comet assay and DNA diffusion assay.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to lead acetate in pottery-glaze ceramic workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in 30 exposed workers and 30 matched controls, to whom several biochemical parameters-the blood lead (B-Pb; range: exposed, 41.68-404.77; controls, 12-52) and cadmium (B-Cd) level, the activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP), the level of vitamin B(12) and folate in serum-were measured. The genotoxic effects were evaluated by the alkaline comet assay, the DNA diffusion assay and micronucleus test in peripheral blood lymphocytes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects exposed to lead had significantly higher B-Pb level and, consequently, increased values of tail intensity (TI), frequency of apoptotic and necrotic cells, and frequency of micronuclei (MN). In contrast, their activity of ALAD, the level of vitamin B(12) and folate in serum were significantly lower compared to controls. Poisson regression analysis showed a significant correlation of profession, duration of exposure, smoking, level of cadmium in blood, ALAD and EP with primary DNA damage. A majority of primary damage repairs in a short period after exposure to a genotoxic agent. In addition, the influence of gender and level of vitamin B(12) and folate in serum MN frequency in exposed group was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, DNA diffusion and micronucleus test showed higher influence of tested parameters to DNA damage. The results indicate a need for concomitant use of at least two different biomarkers of exposure when estimating a genetic risk of lead exposure.
authors.affiliation: Mutagenesis Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia. vkasuba@imi.hr
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kašuba
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rozgaj
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milić
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zelježić
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kopjar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pizent
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kljaković-Gašpić
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jazbec
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002104:Cadmium / Q000097:blood; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002516:Ceramics; D020552:Comet Assay; D003571:Cytochalasin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000187:drug effects; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003571:Cytochalasin B; D004247:DNA