title: Heat acclimation decreased oxidative DNA damage resulting from exposure to high heat in an occupational setting.
abstract: Heat acclimation is a physiologically and biochemically adapted process when species transition from one environmental temperature to one of the increased temperature. There is very limited epidemiological evidence on the heat-related impacts during exposure to extremely high heat in an occupational environment. This study sought to identify a potential biomarker of heat acclimation and the burden of heat on the body. The aim of this study was to elucidate oxidative DNA damage and heat acclimation through a self-comparison study design in navy boiler tenders, subjects exposed to extremely high heat in an occupational setting. Fifty-eight male soldiers who work in a boiler room were recruited for this study. The subjects were initially assessed with a health examination and body composition assessment before sailing. In order to compare the within-subject differences before and after heat exposure, the index-related heat exposure was collected before and after a routine 5-h work shift and 7-day sailing. Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a useful marker of oxidative DNA damage was the measurement by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The median of the change in urinary 8-OHdG was 0.78 μg/g creatinine, as the urinary 8-OHdG after sailing was significantly higher than before sailing (p < 0.01). The urinary 8-OHdG was significantly decreased in heat-acclimated boiler tenders. Oxidative DNA damage was significantly decreased in heat-acclimated subjects. Urinary 8-OHdG can be used as a biomarker to assess the effect of heat stress as a result of occupational exposure to extremely high heat conditions.
authors.affiliation: School of Oral Hygiene, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yung-Kai
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Che-Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chen-Chen
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Pai-Fen
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chien-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yu-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Hsueh
authors.forename: Hung-Che
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology*; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018384:Oxidative Stress
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D003849:Deoxyguanosine