The sensitivity of biomarkers for genotoxicity and acute cytotoxicity in nasal and buccal cells of welders.
Welders are inhalatively exposed to fumes which contain genotoxic carcinogens and it was found in epidemiological studies that they have increased cancer rates which may be causally related to DNA damage. In order to assess their health risks and to find out which chemicals cause the adverse effects, bioassays can be performed which enable the detection of genetic damage. The aim of the present study was a comparative investigation with exfoliated buccal and nasal cells in regard to induction of chromosomal alterations and acute cytotoxicity in welders and unexposed controls (n=22 per group). To elucidate the factors which account for genotoxic and cytotoxic effects, additional biochemical parameters were monitored reflecting the redox status as well as concentrations of different metals and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in body fluids. We found in the nasal cells significant induction of alterations which are indicative for DNA damage, i.e. of micronuclei (MNi) and nuclear buds, while elevated rates of nuclear anomalies reflecting cytotoxic effects (condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, karyolylsis) were detected in cells from both organs. The levels of certain metals (Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni), but not markers of oxidative damage were significantly higher in the body fluids of the welders. Multivariate Poisson regression analyses indicate that exposure to Mo (15% MNi increase by one standard deviation increase of Mo in serum), Ni (9% increase) and Mn (14% increase) are positively associated with the induction of MNi in nasal cells while Ni was associated with cytotoxic effects in both types of cells (12 and 16% increase). Taken together, our findings indicate that epithelial cells from the respiratory tract are suitable for the detection of DNA-damaging and cytotoxic effects in welders and can be used to assess health risks associated with genomic instability.
Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Georg
G
Wultsch
Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Armen
A
Nersesyan
Institute of Environmental Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Michael
M
Kundi
Private Clinics Leech, 8010 Graz, Austria.
Robert
R
Jakse
Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
Alfred
A
Beham
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Karl-Heinz
KH
Wagner
Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: siegfried.knasmueller@meduniwien.ac.at.
Siegfried
S
Knasmueller
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004249:DNA Damage; D042822:Genomic Instability; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D014896:Welding
D015415:Biomarkers; D019216:Metals, Heavy
Buccal cells; Cytome assay; Heavy metals; Nasal cells; Redox status; Welders