title: Increased DNA damage and oxidative stress among silver jewelry workers.
abstract: Silver has long been valued as a precious metal, and it is used to make ornaments, jewelry, high-value tableware, utensils, and currency coins. Human exposures to silver and silver compounds can occur oral, dermal, or by inhalation. In this study, we investigated genotoxic and oxidative effects of silver exposure among silver jewelry workers. DNA damage in peripheral mononuclear leukocytes was measured by using the comet assay. Serum total antioxidative status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS), total thiol contents, and ceruloplasmin levels were measured by using colorimetric methods among silver jewelry workers. Moreover, oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Results were compared with non-exposed healthy subjects. The mean values of mononuclear leukocyte DNA damage were significantly higher than control subjects (p < 0.001). Serum TOS, OSI, and ceruloplasmin levels were also found to be higher in silver particles exposed group than those of non-exposed group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). However, serum TAS levels and total thiol contents of silver exposed group were found significantly lower (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively). Exposure to silver particles among silver jewelry workers caused oxidative stress and accumulation of severe DNA damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Mardin Artuklu University School of Health, Mardin, Turkey, necmettinaktepe@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Necmettin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aktepe
authors.forename: Abdurrahim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kocyigit
authors.forename: Yunus
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yukselten
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taskin
authors.forename: Cumali
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keskin
authors.forename: Hakim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Celik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000378:metabolism; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D055498:Jewelry / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012834:Silver; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D012834:Silver; D002570:Ceruloplasmin