Genotoxicity experiments with exfoliated nasal mucosa cells are a promising minimally invasive approach for the detection of DNA-damaging compounds in ambient air. Results of single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assays with individual cells and organ cultures from bioptic material show that DNA damage caused by compounds such as nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides can be detected. Biochemical studies indicate that enzymes involved in the metabolism of environmental mutagens are represented in nasal cells. Several protocols for experiments with nasal cells have been developed and it was shown that formaldehyde, metals, styrene and crystalline silica induce DNA damage in SCGE and/or in micronucleus studies; furthermore, it was also found that polluted urban air causes DNA instability in nasal epithelial cells. Comparisons of these data with results obtained in lymphocytes and buccal cells indicate that nasal cells are in general equally sensitive. Broad variations in the baseline levels, differences of results obtained in various studies as well as the lack of information concerning the impact of confounding factors on the outcome of experiments with these cells indicate the need for further standardisation of the experimental protocols.
Limited knowledge exists about the impact of physical workload on oxidative stress in different occupational categories. Thus, we aimed to investigate the oxidative and inflammatory status in employees with different physical workloads. We enrolled a total of 79 male subjects, 27 office workers (mean age 38.8 ± 9.1 years) and 52 heavy workers, in a slaughterhouse (mean age 40.8 ± 8.2 years). Fasting blood was drawn from an antecubital vein in the morning of the midweek before an 8-hour or 12-hour work shift. The antioxidative capacity was assessed measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC), uric acid, total polyphenols (PPm), and endogenous peroxidase activity (EPA). Total peroxides (TOC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were analyzed as prooxidative biomarkers, and an oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. In addition, hsCRP, interleukin-6 (IL-6), MDA-LDL IgM antibodies, galectin-3, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were measured as biomarkers of chronic systemic inflammation and emotional stress. TOC (p = 0.032), TAC (p < 0.001), ACTH (p < 0.001), OSI (p = 0.011), and hsCRP (p = 0.019) were significantly increased in the heavy workers group, while EPA, BDNF (p < 0.001), and polyphenols (p = 0.004) were significantly higher in office workers. Comparison between 8 and 12 h shifts showed a worse psychological condition in heavy workers with increased levels for hsCRP (p = 0.001) and reduced concentration of BDNF (p = 0.012) compared to office workers. Oxidative stress and inflammation are induced in heavy workers and are particularly pronounced during long working hours, that is, 12-hour versus 8-hour shifts.
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