title: Epigenetic markers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Mexican brickmakers: a pilot study.
abstract: A pilot cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 39 male brick manufacturers in San Luis Potosi, Mexico to identify epigenetic biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A questionnaire was used to compile the smoking and drinking habits, clinical history, working time, and socioeconomic characteristics of the participants. 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels were measured from urine samples using high-performance liquid chromatography, and genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples for methylation analysis using pyrosequencing. The mean 1-OHP level was 0.18 μg g(-1) creatinine (range 0.023-1.11), which was below the expected occupational exposure level. After adjusting for potential confounders, the 1-OHP urine concentration was negatively associated with DNA methylation of the interleukin 12 (β=-1.57; 95% CI: -2.9 to -0.23; p=0.02) and p53 gene promoters (β=-2.7; 95% CI: -5.46-0.06; p=0.055). Suggestive negative associations were also found for the TNF-α gene (β=-3.9; 95% CI:-8.28-0.48; p=0.08) and Alu sequences (β=-0.55; 95% CI:-1.25-0.16; p=0.12). Although the individual exposures to PAHs as estimated by urinary 1-OHP concentrations were low, changes in specific and global DNA methylation were observed.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78290, Mexico. giorgio_alegretto@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jorge Alejandro
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Alegría-Torres
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barretta
authors.forename: Lilia E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Batres-Esquivel
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carrizales-Yáñez
authors.forename: Iván N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Pérez-Maldonado
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baccarelli
authors.forename: Pier Alberto
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bertazzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons