title: [Research on the features of DNA damage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients of normal constitution and abnormal constitution and in high-risk population of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the features of DNA damage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients of normal constitution and abnormal constitution and in high-risk population of NPC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using single cell gel electrophoresis technique, the DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes was detected in 28 healthy subjects, 27 in high-risk population of NPC, and 13 NPC patients at their first visits. The DNA damage was detected in the populations of normal constitution and of abnormal constitution. The tail length, the tail moment, and the tail DNA% were taken as the indices of DNA damage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tail length was (35.77 +/- 4.22) microm, the tail moment was (8.10 +/- 1.63) microm, and the tail DNA% was 57.48% +/- 4.63% in NPC patients. They were (15.25 +/- 4.15) microm, (5.01 +/- 1.92) microm, and 31.99% +/- 4. 11% in high-risk population of NPC. They were (14.31 +/- 3.64) microm, (4. 37 +/- 1.80) microm, and 29. 89% +/- 3. 15% in healthy subjects. There was statistical difference in the three indices among the three populations (P <0.05). In all the three populations, more DNA damage existed in those of abnormal constitution than in those of normal constitution (P <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obvious instability of genetic materials exists in NPC patients, manifested as severe DNA damage of lymphocytes. In all the three populations, more DNA damage existed in those of abnormal constitution than in those of normal constitution.
authors.affiliation: Department of otolaryngology, Zhongshan Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong 528400, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Chi-Peng
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Wen-jing
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001824:Body Constitution; D002277:Carcinoma; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult