Effect of War and Postwar Genotoxins on Micronuclei Frequency in Sarajevo Study Group

Abstract

During the 1992-1995 siege, as well as after the war activities, citizens of Sarajevo were most probably exposed to various potential genotoxic agents. The effects of those potential genotoxins were evaluated by micronucleus-cytokinesis blocked assay. The study included 30 individuals who resided in the area of Sarajevo during the war and the postwar period. Point bi-serial coefficient analysis did not reveal any relationship between the frequencies of binuclear cells with micronuclei as well as total number of micronuclei and smoking habits or gender. Simple linear regression revealed statistically significant positive correlation between the age and micronuclei formation. Due to the war related environmental contamination more extensive study is recommended.

Micronuclei in genotoxicity assessment: from genetics to epigenetics and beyond

“…Genotoxicity of the environment and manufactory pollution has always been an important issue (Buchet et al, 1995; Ibrulj et al, 2006). In their study, Neri et al (2003) described the effect of various environmental mutagens on the frequency of MN in children (0–18 years).…”

The frequencies of micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds as biomarkers of genomic instability in patients with urothelial cell carcinoma

“…A Norwegian investigation showed a 5-fold increase in the incidence of bladder cancer among soldiers who served in Kosovo compared with the general Norwegian population 47 . Other studies show an increased number of cancer and MN frequencies in the Bosnian population in regions exposed to depleted uranium during the Bosnian war 48,49 . In Kosovo, there is no investigation that shows the level of contamination with such agents, so this hypothesis remains at the level of speculation and should be investigated in the future.…”