DNA strand breaks in human nasal respiratory epithelium are induced upon exposure to urban pollution.

All organisms have the ability to respond and adapt to a myriad of environmental insults. The human respiratory epithelium, when exposed to oxidant gases in photochemical smog, is at risk of DNA damage and requires efficient cellular adaptative responses to resist the environmentally induced cell damage. Ozone and its reaction products induce in vitro and in vivo DNA single strand breaks (SSBs) in respiratory epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. To determine if exposure to a polluted atmosphere with ozone as the main criteria pollutant induces SSBs in nasal epithelium, we studied 139 volunteers, including a control population of 19 children and 13 adult males who lived in a low-polluted Pacific port, 69 males and 16 children who were permanent residents of Southwest Metropolitan Mexico City (SWMMC), and 22 young males newly arrived to SWMMC and followed for 12 weeks. Respiratory symptoms, nasal cytology and histopathology, cell viabilities, and single-cell gel electrophoresis were investigated. Atmospheric pollutant data were obtained from a fixed-site monitoring station. SWMMC volunteers spent >7 hr/day outdoors and all had upper respiratory symptoms. A significant difference in the numbers of DNA-damaged nasal cells was observed between control and chronically exposed subjects, both in children (p<0.00001) and in adults (p<0.01). SSBs in newly arrived subjects quickly increased upon arrival to the city, from 39.8 +/- 8.34% in the first week to 67.29 +/- 2.35 by week 2. Thereafter, the number of cells with SSBs remained stable in spite of the continuous increase in cumulative ozone, suggesting a threshold for cumulative DNA nasal damage. Exposure to a polluted urban atmosphere induces SSBs in human nasal respiratory epithelium, and nasal SSBs could serve as a biomarker of ozone exposure. Further, because DNA strand breaks are a threat to cell viability and genome integrity and appear to be a critical lesion responsible for p53 induction, nasal SSBs should be evaluated in ozone-exposed individuals.     

多氯联苯增强苯并(a)芘致HepG2细胞DNA的损伤作用

目的研究多氯联苯1254对苯并(a)芘致HepG2细胞DNA损伤的影响。方法设11.5、23.0和46.0μmol/L多氯联苯1254剂量组,苯并(a)芘50μmol/L剂量组,10 m l/L二甲基亚砜为溶剂对照。用不同浓度多氯联苯1254预处理HepG2细胞,24 h后染毒,通过单细胞凝胶电泳和高效液相-电化学技术,检测细胞中的DNA链断裂和8-羟基脱氧鸟嘌呤核苷酸(8-OHdG)。结果50μmol/L苯并(a)芘诱导HepG2细胞中DNA O liver尾矩(OTM)值为1.66±0.21,8-OHdG含量为(23.31±6.02)8-OHdG/106dG,溶剂对照组OTM值为0.79±0.15,8-OHdG含量为(12.31±3.24)8-OHdG/106dG,两组比较差异均有统计学意义;11.5、23.0和46.0μmol/L单独处理组OTM值分别为0.88±0.20、1.01±0.15和1.10±0.16,8-OHdG含量分别为(19.57±7.57)、(22.80±9.16)和(31.74±9.25)8-OHdG/106dG,46.0μmol/L组与溶剂对照组比较,8-OHdG含量显著增加,差异有统计学意义;经11.5、23.0和46.0μmol/L的多氯联苯1254预处理,苯并(a)芘诱导的OTM值分别为2.14±0.22、2.43±0.32和2.71±0.31,8-OHdG含量分别为(32.50±3.81)、(49.23±16.66)和(60.36±18.04)8-OHdG/106dG,与苯并(a)芘单独作用组比较均显著增加,差异有统计学意义。结论多氯联苯1254能使苯并(a)芘诱导的HepG2细胞DNA损伤作用显著增强,表明多氯联苯1254对苯并(a)芘的遗传毒性作用具有一定的协同效应。     

Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage in workers exposed to fine particulates

Residual oil fly ash (ROFA) is a chemically complex mixture of compounds, including metals that are potentially carcinogenic because of their ability to cause oxidative injury. In this study, we investigated the association between exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic mass median diameter 相似文献   

Increased levels of 8-hydroxy-2 -deoxyguanosine attributable to carcinogenic metal exposure among schoolchildren

Arsenic, chromium, and nickel are reported in several epidemiologic studies to be associated with lung cancer. However, the health effects of arsenic, chromium, and nickel exposures are equivocal for children. Therefore, we performed a cross-sectional study to investigate possible associations between the internal concentrations of arsenic, chromium, and nickel and the level of oxidative stress to DNA in children. We measured urinary levels of arsenic, chromium, and nickel for 142 nonsmoking children using atomic absorption spectrometry. As a biomarker for oxidative stress, urinary 8-hydroxy-2 -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The median urinary 8-OHdG level for our subjects was 11.7 ng/mg creatinine. No obvious relationship between the levels of urinary nickel and 8-OHdG was found. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that children with higher urinary chromium had greater urinary 8-OHdG than did those with lower urinary chromium. Similarly, subjects with higher urinary arsenic had greater urinary 8-OHdG than did those with lower urinary arsenic. Furthermore, children with both high urinary arsenic and high urinary chromium had the highest 8-OHdG levels (mean +/- SE, 16.0 +/- 1.3; vs. low arsenic/low chromium, p < 0.01) in urine, followed by those with low arsenic/high chromium (13.7 +/- 1.6; vs. low arsenic/low chromium, p = 0.25), high arsenic/low chromium (12.9 +/- 1.6 vs. low arsenic/low chromium, p = 0.52), and low arsenic/low chromium (11.5 +/- 1.3); the trend was significant (p < 0.001). Thus, environmental carcinogenic metal exposure to chromium and arsenic may play an important role in oxidative DNA damage to children.     

Effect of environmental changes on oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in systemic lupus erythematosus

In a study conducted in Japan, the authors used urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) to study the effects of high-intensity and low-intensity sunlight on oxidative damage to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in patients who had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). During late May through early September (i.e., a period of high-intensity sunlight), the mean urinary 8-OHdG level in SLE patients was significantly higher than in controls (31.0 +/- 20.6 [standard deviation] ng/mg vs. 15.4 +/- 7.2 ng/mg, respectively [p < .05]). During late November through early March (i.e., low-intensity sunlight season), however, no significant differences were noted (15.4 +/- 5.5 ng/mg vs. 16.3 +/- 4.6 ng/mg, respectively). The mean urinary 8-OHdG level in SLE patients during the period of high-intensity sunlight was significantly higher than during the period of low-intensity sunlight (21.3 +/- 20.6 ng/mg vs. 12.6 +/- 6.7 ng/mg, respectively; p < .01), although no such seasonal changes were observed among controls (16.2 +/- 8.0 ng/mg vs. 15.7 +/- 5.1 ng/mg, respectively). The effect of sunlight intensity (i.e., season) may require consideration when oxidative DNA damage occurs in individuals who have SLE.     

青石棉诱导AL细胞CD59基因突变和DNA氧化损伤的研究

目的　研究谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂buthioninesulfoximine(BSO)和自由基清除剂二甲亚砜 (DMSO)对青石棉诱导人鼠杂交瘤 (AL)细胞CD59基因突变率的影响以及青石棉引发细胞内 8 羟基脱氧鸟苷 (8 OHdG)产生的规律。方法　细胞毒性、遗传毒性检测分别采用克隆法 ;8 OHdG检测采用ABC酶免疫染色法 ;非蛋白巯基化合物 (NPSH)检测采用改进后的Tietze法。结果　 2 5μmol/LBSO预处理AL 细胞 2 4h后的细胞内NPSH含量降为 2nmol/ 10 7细胞 ,仅为对照组的 5%。青石棉单独处理组AL 细胞CD59基因突变率为 2 0 8± 18。BSO预处理 2 4h后与青石棉继续共同孵育组细胞突变率可达到 3 97± 55,是青石棉单独处理组的 2倍左右 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5) ;而DMSO存在时 ,青石棉诱导的CD59基因突变率仅为 57± 8,比青石棉单独处理组降低 72 .6%。细胞内 8 OHdG的产生随着青石棉处理剂量的增加而线性增加 (y =150 2 0x ,r =0 .962 1)。当青石棉处理剂量为 6μg/cm2 时 ,细胞内 8 OHdG含量由对照组的 13 7± 9提高到 2 89± 6,是对照组的 2倍以上。DMSO存在时 ,可使 6μg/cm2 石棉诱导的细胞内 8 OHdG含量由 2 89± 6降低到 170± 3。结论　自由基是青石棉诱导基因突变和DNA损伤过程中重要的调节物 ,具有剂量 -效应关系     

热休克蛋白70的表达在苯并[a]芘致DNA损伤中的作用

目的　探讨苯并 [a]芘 (BaP)作用下人肺腺癌A5 4 9细胞热休克蛋白 70 (HSP70 )表达改变及其在DNA损伤中的作用。方法　离体培养A5 4 9细胞 ,以不同浓度的BaP(0、1.2 5、2 .5 0、5 .0 0、10 .0 0μmol L)染毒 6h或 10 μmol L的BaP染毒不同时间 (0、4、8、12、16、2 4、4 8h) ;分别以Western blot和单细胞凝胶电泳方法检测细胞HSP70表达和DNA损伤情况 ;并进一步分析HSP70表达和DNA损伤之间的关系。结果　 1.2 5、2 .5 0、5 .0 0、10 .0 0 μmol L的BaP作用 6h时 ,A5 4 9的HSP70积分光密度分别为4 9.6 3± 1.30、4 5 .72± 1.0 3、4 0 .5 3± 0 .95、37.5 0± 1.2 0 ,均低于对照组 (5 9.4 3± 1.17) ,差异均有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;10 μmol L的BaP作用 4、8、12、16h时 ,HSP70的积分光密度分别为 33.33± 0 .80、2 9.2 3± 0 .91、12 .5 1± 0 .96、9.5 0± 1.2 5 ,而在 2 4、4 8h时 ,HSP70的积分光密度分别为 2 0 .0 6± 1.38、2 4 .5 1± 1.39,与对照组 (5 6 .5 9± 0 .85 )比较 ,差异均有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。 1.2 5、2 .5 0、5 .0 0、10 .0 0 μmol L的BaP作用 6h时 ,在 10 6 个细胞中 ,DNA损伤积分分别为 10 0 82± 75 80、2 3718± 2 938、30 12 8± 2 937、4 4 2 31± 384 6 ,其中 2 .5 0～ 10 .     

砷暴露母子砷代谢特点及DNA损伤差异

目的通过尿中各种形态砷水平，探讨高砷暴露下儿童砷代谢特点；测定尿中8-羟基脱氧鸟苷（8-O-HdG）水平。初步探讨砷暴露对儿童DNA的损伤情况；并比较砷暴露对儿童与成人的不同影响。方法以氢化物发生．冷原子捕获．原子吸收分光光度法测定尿中各种砷化物的含量；以试剂盒法测定尿8-OHdG水平。结果砷暴露组妇女和儿童尿中无机砷（iAs）、二甲基砷（MMA）、甲基砷（DMA）及总砷（tAs）水平均显著高于对照组；砷暴露母子间，子女尿中iAs、DMA、tAs及DMA／tAs水平显著高于其母亲，而MMA／（MMA＋DMA）显著低于其母亲。母子间8-O-HdG水平差异无统计学意义。结论高砷暴露下，儿童二甲基化能力高于成人，DNA氧化损伤与成人相比不明显。     

Urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage in workers exposed to ethylbenzene

This study assessed the relationships between ethylbenzene exposure and levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) among spray painters. Sixty-four male workers employed at a large shipyard were recruited for this investigation. Fifteen spray painters exposed to paint, together with two non-exposed groups, namely 19 sandblasting workers and 30 office staffs were selected as the subjects. Personal exposure to xylene and ethylbenzene in air were collected using diffusive samplers. Urine samples of the spray painters were collected after a month-long holiday leave and during the pre- and post-workshifts. Urine samples of sandblasting workers and office staffs were gathered after their shift. Urinary mandelic acid and methyl hippuric acid were used as biological indices of dose of ethylbenzene and xylene, respectively. Urinary 8-OHdG was used as biomarker of oxidative DNA damage. The post-workshift concentration of urinary 8-OHdG for 10 spray painters (30.3 ± 9.28 μg g(-1) creatinine) significantly exceeded that of holiday leave (7.20 ± 1.08 μg g(-1) creatinine; P = 0.001). The post-workshift concentration of urinary 8-OHdG was higher among 15 spray painters (29.0 ± 6.52 μg g(-1) creatinine) than sandblasting workers (9.14 ± 2.05 μg g(-1) creatinine; P = 0.01) and office staffs (8.35 ± 0.84 μg g(-1) creatinine; P = 0.007). A stepwise regression model revealed an 8.11 μg g(-1) creatinine increase per 1 p.p.m. increase in ethylbenzene [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.13-12.1]. A stepwise regression model revealed an increase of 6.04 μg g(-1) creatinine (95% CI 2.23-9.84) per 1 p.p.m. in ethylbenzene after adjustment of age (95% CI 2.23-9.84). This pilot study suggests that occupational exposure to paint increases oxidative DNA injury. Moreover, urinary 8-OHdG levels displayed greater DNA damage in spray painters compared to other unexposed groups and their holiday leave samples. A significant correlation was found between urinary 8-OHdG and the exposure to ethylbenzene. The ethylbenzene exposure could not explain all urinary 8-OHdG measured. Other components of paint deserve further investigation.     

Low level occupational exposure to styrene: its effects on DNA damage and DNA repair

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of styrene exposure at levels below the recommended standards of the Threshold Limit Value (TLV-TWA(8)) of 20 ppm (ACGIH, 2004) in reinforced-fiberglass plastics workers. Study subjects comprised 50 exposed workers and 40 control subjects. The exposed workers were stratified by styrene exposure levels, i.e. group I (<10 ppm, <42.20 mg/m(3)), group II (10-20 ppm, 42.20-84.40 mg/m(3)), and group III (>20 ppm, >84.40 mg/m(3)). The mean styrene exposure levels of exposed workers were significantly higher than those of the control workers. Biomarkers of exposure to styrene, including blood styrene and the urinary metabolites, mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA), were significantly increased with increasing levels of styrene exposure, but were not detected in the control group. DNA damage, such as DNA strand breaks, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and DNA repair capacity, were used as biomarkers of early biological effects. DNA strand breaks and 8-OHdG/10(5)dG levels in peripheral leukocytes of exposed groups were significantly higher compared to the control group (P<0.05). In addition, DNA repair capacity, determined by the cytogenetic challenge assay, was lower in all exposed groups when compared to the control group (P<0.05). The expression of CYP2E1, which is involved in styrene metabolism, in all styrene exposed groups, was higher than that of the control group at a statistically significant level (P<0.05). Levels of expression of the DNA repair genes hOGG1 and XRCC1 were significantly higher in all exposed groups than in the control group (P<0.05). In addition to styrene contamination in ambient air, a trace amount of benzene was also found but, the correlation between benzene exposure and DNA damage or DNA repair capacity was not statistically significant. The results obtained from this study indicate an increase in genotoxic effects and thus health risk from occupational styrene exposure, even at levels below the recommended TLV-TWA(8) of 20 ppm.     

Human nasal mucosal changes after exposure to urban pollution.

Millions of people worldwide are living in areas where ozone (O3) concentrations exceed health standards (an hourly average of 235 micrograms/m3/0.12 ppm, not to be exceeded more than once per year). Ozone induces acute nasal inflammatory responses and significant epithelial lesions in experimental animals and humans. To determine the nasal effects of a 15-day exposure to an urban polluted atmosphere with O3 as the main pollutant, we studied a population of healthy, young males newly arrived to southwest metropolitan Mexico City (SWMMC). The study included 49 non-smoking residents in an unpolluted port, Veracruz City; 14 subjects stayed in the port and served as controls, while 35 subjects traveled to SWMMC and had serial nasal lavages at different times after arriving in SWMMC. Subjects had exposures to ambient O3 an average of 10.2 hr/day, with a total cumulative O3 exposure of 10.644 ppm.hr. Nasal inflammatory responses, polymorphonuclear leukocyte PMN-CD11b surface expression, rhinoscopic changes, and respiratory symptoms were evaluated. Exposed subjects had massive nasal epithelial shedding and significant responses in PMN nasal influx (p < 0.00001) and in PMN-CD11b expression (p < 0.05). Cumulative O3 exposure correlated with respiratory symptoms, PMNs (rs = 0.2374, p < 0.01), and CD11b (rs = 0.3094, p < 0.01); 94% of exposed subjects experienced respiratory symptoms, and 97% left the city with an abnormal nasal mucosa by rhinoscopy. Nasal epithelial changes persisted 2 weeks after the exposed subjects returned to their nonpolluted environment. Exposure to an urban polluted atmosphere induces significant and persistent nasal epithelial alterations in healthy subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

烹调油烟雾诱导核酸氧化损伤及其标志物8-羟基脱氧鸟苷的形成机制

目的 了解烹调油烟雾的遗传毒性效应。方法 以核酸加合物8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-OHdG)作为DNA氧化损伤的生物学标志物,用高效液相色谱-电化学检测法(HPLC-EC)对烹调油烟雾染毒的小牛胸腺DNA及Wistar大鼠气管灌注染毒的肺组织DNA中8-OHdG进行定量检测,通过气质联用法(GC-MS)进行有机成分和原子吸收法(AAS)进行无机元素分析,并从混合污染物化学组成成分的角度推断了烹调油烟雾造成DNA氧化损伤的分子机理。结果体外试验表明烹调油烟雾的各组分,包括油烟冷凝物、残留油、油烟颗粒物、油烟挥发性有机物均能能诱导DNA氧化产生8-OHdG,产生量的顺序为残留油>冷凝物>油烟颗粒物>油烟挥发性有机物。体内实验结果表明油烟冷凝物可诱导大鼠肺组织DNA的氧化且具有剂量一反应关系和时间一效应关系。结论烹调油烟雾具有明确的遗传毒性,可诱导核酸氧化产生加合物8-OHdG,其机制可能是烹调油混合污染物中存在痕量金属离子如Fe2+、Cu2+等,介导Fenton反应生成羟自由基,直接进攻DNA造成氧化损伤。     

Lower serum levels of beta-carotene in Lithuanian men are accompanied by higher urinary excretion of the oxidative DNA adduct, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. The LiVicordia study

OBJECTIVE: In 1995, middle-aged Lithuanian men had a four-fold higher risk than Swedish men of dying from coronary heart disease. The cross-sectional LiVicordia study had reported significantly lower levels of the lipid-soluble antioxidants lycopene, beta-carotene, and gamma-tocopherol among Lithuanian men than among Swedish men. We examined whether there were differences in urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG), a marker of oxidative stress, between these groups of men. METHODS: Using automated coupled column high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, we examined 50-y-old men randomly sampled from Link?ping, Sweden (n = 99) and Vilnius, Lithuania (n = 109) with regard to urinary concentrations of 8-OHdG. RESULTS: Levels of 8-OHdG were higher in the Lithuanian men than in the Swedish men (20.9 +/- 0.91 versus 14.9 +/- 0.75 nM/L, P < 0.001), and this difference was evident in smokers (P < 0.01) and non-smokers (P < 0.001). Serum levels of alpha- and beta-carotene were inversely correlated to urinary 8-OHdG levels (P < 0.05 in both cases). Habitual smoking and low levels of beta-carotene contributed significantly to higher oxidative DNA damage expressed as urinary 8-OHdG. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that increased urinary 8-OHdG levels accompany lower serum levels of antioxidants in Lithuanian men. They supported previous suggestions that increased oxidative stress may be one factor behind the higher mortality in Lithuanian men.     

硒和砷对HepG2细胞氧化应激和DNA氧化损伤及修复的作用

目的研究硒和砷单独及联合作用对HepG2细胞氧化应激和DNA氧化损伤及修复的影响。方法采用不同浓度的硒(2.5、5.0和10.0μmol/L亚硒酸钠)和砷(1.56、3.13、6.25、12.5和25.0μmol/L亚砷酸)为受试物单独或联合处理HepG2细胞。荧光法测定丙二醛(MDA)作为氧化应激的指标,高效液相色谱-电化学检测法(HPLC-EC)测定8-羟基鸟苷(8-OHdG)作为DNA氧化损伤的指标,Western Blot检测hOGG1表达作为DNA氧化损伤修复的指标。结果在硒和砷单独作用的条件下,可观察到:(1)5.0、10.0μmol/L的亚硒酸钠和6.25、12.5、25.0μmol/L的亚砷酸均引起HepG2细胞MDA含量增加、8-OHdG生成增多、hOGG1表达明显下降(P<0.05,P<0.01);(2)较低浓度的亚硒酸钠(2.5μmol/L)具有有限的抑制8-OHdG生成的作用(P>0.05)。在硒和砷联合作用的条件下,可观察到:(1)2.5μmol/L的亚硒酸钠和6.25μmol/L的亚砷酸同时染毒使MDA含量和8-OHdG的生成均较相应砷剂量组下降(P<0.05);(2)2.5μmol/L的亚硒酸钠与6.25、12.5和25.0μmol/L的亚砷酸同时染毒,hOGG1表达与相应砷剂量组比较没有明显差异(P>0.05)。结论5.0、10.0μmol/L的亚硒酸钠和6.25、12.5、25.0μmol/L的亚砷酸均可引起HepG2细胞氧化应激增强、8-OHdG生成增多、hOGG1表达明显下降;一定剂量的硒(2.5μmol/L的亚硒酸钠)对砷诱导的HepG2细胞氧化应激和DNA氧化损伤具有抑制作用,但对砷所致的DNA氧化损伤修复不产生明显影响。     

Protective Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on DNA Damage Induced by Cigarette Smoking

The study examined the influence of fish oil (FO) supplementation on serum 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels as indicated by DNA damage markers and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) among male cigarette smokers. This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study was conducted among healthy cigarette smokers (n=40) who were part of a larger prospective cohort study. Twenty smokers were randomly selected to receive FO for 3 months (1 g/day), and another 20 smokers received a placebo for 3 months; 8-OHdG and TAC levels were measured in blood samples before and after the intervention. Serum 8-OHdG significantly decreased (p=0.001) and TAC increased (p<0.001) after 3 months of treatment with FO. Between baseline and endline, the difference in 8-OHdG significantly correlated with the difference in TAC among smokers who received FO (r=-0.540, p=0.014). The study provides evidence that FO supplementation can modify decreased antioxidants and increased oxidative DNA damage in cigarette smokers.Key words: 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine, Antioxidants, Cigarette smoking, Fish oil     

Oxidative DNA damage estimated by plasma 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG): influence of 4, 4'-methylenebis (2-chloroaniline) exposure and smoking

Oxidative DNA damage may play an important role in the human carcinogenic process. Recently, we reported a case of bladder cancer among 4, 4'-methylenebis (2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA)-exposed workers. By measuring the plasma level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), we investigated the association between oxidative DNA damage and MBOCA exposure. In addition, we examined the effects of different confounders on the plasma level of 8-OHdG. We undertook a cross-sectional survey at four MBOCA-producing factories in Taiwan (158 subjects). Plasma 8-OHdG levels and urinary MBOCA concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Personal characteristics were collected by questionnaire. The workers were classified according to their job titles as exposed (n=57) or unexposed (n=101) groups as well as classified according to urinary MBOCA levels as high urinary MBOCA (>20 microg/g creatinine) (n=45) or low urinary MBOCA (n=108) groups. Neither the MBOCA-exposed workers nor the high urinary MBOCA workers had a significant increase in the mean plasma 8-OHdG level, even after adjustment for potential confounders. Age and gender were significantly positively correlated with plasma 8-OHdG levels. Smokers among high urinary MBOCA workers also had significantly higher 8-OHdG levels than non-smokers among high urinary MBOCA workers. Our study provides evidence that smoking rather than MBOCA exposure induces elevation of plasma 8-OHdG levels among workers exposed to MBOCA, indicating that oxidative DNA damage does not play an important role in the carcinogenic processes of MBOCA.     

DNA strand breaks, oxidative damage, and 1-OH pyrene in roofers with coal-tar pitch dust and/or asphalt fume exposure

Objective: To determine the potential for asphalt fume exposure to increase DNA damage, we conducted a cross-sectional study of roofers involved in the application of roofing asphalt. Methods: DNA strand breaks and the ratio of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) to 2-deoxyguanosine (dG) were measured in peripheral blood leukocytes of roofers. In addition, urinary excretion of 8-OHdG and 8-epi-prostaglandin F_2α (8-epi-PGF) was also measured. The study population consisted of 26 roofers exposed to roofing asphalt and 15 construction workers not exposed to asphalt during the past 5 years. A subset of asphalt roofers (n=19) was exposed to coal-tar pitch dust (coal tar) during removal of existing roofs prior to applying hot asphalt. Personal air monitoring was performed for one work-week to measure exposure to total particulates, benzene-soluble fraction of total particulates, and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). Urinary 1-OH-pyrene levels were measured as an internal biomarker of PAC exposure. Results: Full-shift breathing zone measurements for total particulates, benzene-solubles and PACs were significantly higher for coal-tar exposed workers than for roofers not exposed to coal tar. Similarly, urinary 1-OH-pyrene levels were higher in coal-tar exposed roofers than roofers not exposed to coal tar. Total particulates or benzene-soluble fractions were not associated with urinary 1-OH-pyrene, but PAC exposure was highly correlated with urinary 1-OH-pyrene. When stratified by 1-OH-pyrene excretion, DNA strand breaks increased in a dose-dependent manner, and leukocyte 8-OHdG/dG decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Significant changes in DNA damage appeared to be linked to PACs from coal-tar exposure, although asphalt fume alone was associated with a small but significant increase in urinary 1-OH-pyrene and DNA strand breaks. Conclusions: Results are consistent with previous reports that asphalt or coal-tar exposure can cause DNA damage. Urinary 8-epi-PGF remained relatively constant during the week for virtually all subjects, regardless of exposure indicating that neither asphalt nor coal-tar exposure induces an overt oxidative stress. A small, but statistically significant increase in 8OHdG was evident in end-of-week urine samples compared with start-of-week urine samples in roofers exposed to coal-tar. The increase in urinary 8OHdG coupled with the decrease in leukocyte 8-OHdG/dG, suggests that coal-tar exposure induces protective or repair mechanisms that result in reduced levels of steady-state oxidative-DNA damage. Received: 5 September 2000 / Accepted: 20 February 2001     

Elevated plasma endothelin-1 and pulmonary arterial pressure in children exposed to air pollution

BACKGROUND: Controlled exposures of animals and humans to particulate matter (PM) or ozone air pollution cause an increase in plasma levels of endothelin-1, a potent vasoconstrictor that regulates pulmonary arterial pressure. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this field study was to determine whether Mexico City children, who are chronically exposed to levels of PM and O(3) that exceed the United States air quality standards, have elevated plasma endothelin-1 levels and pulmonary arterial pressures. METHODS: We conducted a study of 81 children, 7.9 +/- 1.3 years of age, lifelong residents of either northeast (n = 19) or southwest (n = 40) Mexico City or Polotitlán (n = 22), a control city with PM and O(3) levels below the U.S. air quality standards. Clinical histories, physical examinations, and complete blood counts were done. Plasma endothelin-1 concentrations were determined by immunoassay, and pulmonary arterial pressures were measured by Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Mexico City children had higher plasma endothelin-1 concentrations compared with controls (p < 0.001). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure was elevated in children from both northeast (p < 0.001) and southwest (p < 0.05) Mexico City compared with controls. Endothelin-1 levels in Mexico City children were positively correlated with daily outdoor hours (p = 0.012), and 7-day cumulative levels of PM air pollution < 2.5 mum in aerodynamic diameter (PM(2.5)) before endothelin-1 measurement (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic exposure of children to PM(2.5) is associated with increased levels of circulating endothelin-1 and elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure.     

Reduction of DNA damage in older healthy adults by Tri E Tocotrienol supplementation

OBJECTIVE: The free radical theory of aging (FRTA) suggests that free radicals are the leading cause of deteriorating physiologic function during senescence. Free radicals attack cellular structures or molecules such as DNA resulting in various modifications to the DNA structures. Accumulation of unrepaired DNA contributes to a variety of disorders associated with the aging process. METHODS: A randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Tri E Tocotrienol on DNA damage. Sixty four subjects 37-78 y old completed the study. A daily dose of 160 mg of Tri E Tocotrienol was given for 6 months. Blood samples were analyzed for DNA damage using comet assay, frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and chromosome 4 aberrations. RESULTS: Results showed a significant reduction in DNA damage as measured by comet assay after 3 mo (P < 0.01) and remained low at 6 mo (P < 0.01). The frequency of SCE was also reduced after 6 mo of supplementation (P < 0.05), albeit more markedly in the >50 y-old group (P < 0.01) whereas urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed between SCE with age, whereas weak positive correlations were observed in DNA damage and 8-OHdG, which were reduced with supplementation. However, no translocation or a stable insertion was observed in chromosome 4. CONCLUSION: Tri E Tocotrienol supplementation may be beneficial by reducing DNA damage as indicated by a reduction in DNA damage, SCE frequency, and urinary 8-OHdG.     

8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine in human leukocyte DNA and daily health practice factors: effects of individual alcohol sensitivity.

A typical oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), was evaluated in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and mononuclear leukocytes (MN) by an anaerobic determination method. The mean 8-OHdG values were the lowest level ever reported [PMN, 3.07 +/- 1.45; MN, 2.37 +/- 1.21 8-OHdG/10(6) deoxyguanosine molecules (dG); n = 92]. According to a self-administered questionnaire to 92 healthy male workers, the relationship was investigated between 8-OHdG in leukocytes and daily health practice factors, that is, the frequency of physical exercise, smoking status, alcohol drinking, nutritional balance, and the degree of mental stress. A significant difference was observed only in alcohol drinking in subjects classified by aldehyde-dehydrogenase 2 isozyme (ALDH2) genotype. Habitual alcohol intake appeared to increase 8-OHdG in PMN from ALDH2-deficient subjects. Neither age, body mass index, nor any other factors examined showed any significant correlation with the 8-OHdG levels in leukocytes.