title: Genomic instability in human lymphocytes from male users of crack cocaine.
abstract: Recent research suggests that crack cocaine use alters systemic biochemical markers, like oxidative damage and inflammation markers, but very few studies have assessed the potential effects of crack cocaine at the cellular level. We assessed genome instability by means of the comet assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus technique in crack cocaine users at the time of admission to a rehabilitation clinic and at two times after the beginning of withdrawal. Thirty one active users of crack cocaine and forty control subjects were evaluated. Comparison between controls and crack cocaine users at the first analysis showed significant differences in the rates of DNA damage (p = 0.037). The frequency of micronuclei (MN) (p < 0.001) and nuclear buds (NBUDs) (p < 0.001) was increased, but not the frequency of nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) (p = 0.089). DNA damage decreased only after the end of treatment (p < 0.001). Micronuclei frequency did not decrease after treatment, and nuclear buds increased substantially. The results of this study reveal the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of crack cocaine use in human lymphocytes and pave the way for further research on cellular responses and the possible consequences of DNA damage, such as induction of irreversible neurological disease and cancer.
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil. thiagobrites@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Thiago Aley Brites
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: de Freitas
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil. betapalazzo@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Roberta Passos
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Palazzo
authors.affiliation: Health Science Institute, Feevale University, RS 239, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93352-000, Brazil. fabiana.michelsen@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Fabiana Michelsen
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.affiliation: Health Science Institute, Feevale University, RS 239, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93352-000, Brazil. cesar@sinos.net.
authors.forename: César Luis
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Reichert
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil. flaviopechansky@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Flávio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pechansky
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil. kessler.ez@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Félix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Pesquisas em Câncer, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil. carolbfarias@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Caroline Brunetto
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: de Farias
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil. giseleandrad@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gisele Gomes
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leistner-Segal
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil. 0808swm@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sharbel Weidner
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Maluf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders; D020552:Comet Assay; D016578:Crack Cocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D042822:Genomic Instability / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000187:drug effects*; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009685:Nuclear Envelope / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D016578:Crack Cocaine