title: Exposure to volatile anaesthetics is not followed by a massive induction of single-strand DNA breaks in operation theatre personnel.
abstract: Volatile anaesthetics such as halothane, isoflurane and others were expected to produce a health challenge for operation room personnel because of prolonged occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases. To estimate a molecular background of adverse health effects, a cohort of 100 exposed individuals was studied by the single-cell gene electrophoresis (comet assay) test. DNA lesions in lymphocytes of the exposed group did not differ significantly compared with non-exposed blood donors. Then, the exposed group was further divided according to job position. A highest level of DNA lesions was established in nurses but without significant difference compared with other groups. When a time period of exposure was taken into account, a tendency to cumulate DNA lesions was found only in the group of anaesthesiologists. A very weak genotoxic effect established in this study is discussed in relation to DNA repair, adaptative response and potential self-elimination of sensitive individuals.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Strzeszyńska 32, 60-479, Poznań, Poland. szyfkris@man.poznan.pl.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szyfter
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Ireneusz
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stachecki
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Strzeszyńska 32, 60-479, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kostrzewska-Poczekaj
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Strzeszyńska 32, 60-479, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szaumkessel
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szyfter-Harris
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sobczyński
mesh_terms: D000072080:Anesthesiologists; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020552:Comet Assay; D053904:DNA Breaks, Single-Stranded; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000009:adverse effects; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects; D009726:Nurses; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009873:Operating Rooms; D011044:Poland; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D007530:Isoflurane; D006221:Halothane
keywords: DNA damage; Occupational exposure; Volatile anaesthetics