Genomic Instability and Cytotoxicity in Buccal Mucosal Cells of Workers in Banana Farming Evaluated by Micronucleus Test

Abstract

Background/Aim: Studies have demonstrated the biological consequences of environmental contamination caused by human pesticide exposure following banana production. The aim of this study was to evaluate genomic instability and cytotoxicity in buccal mucosal cells of workers in banana farming. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, a total of 21 male workers in banana farming in the Ribeira Valley were included in the experimental group. A total of 20 individuals, not occupationally exposed to pesticides, were included in the control group. Results: The frequency of micronuclei was significantly increased (p<0.05) in buccal mucosa cells from workers of banana farming when compared to the control group. Furthermore, a high frequency of karyolysis was detected in buccal mucosaI cells in these individuals. No significant differences were found in pyknosis or karryorhexis when compared to controls. Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate that workers in banana farming represent a group in high risk for carcinogenesis since chromosomal damage and cellular death are increased in these individuals.

Indicators of Genotoxicity in Farmers and Laborers of Ecological and Conventional Banana Plantations in Ecuador

“…than ecological farmworkers. This corroborates the findings of a recent study about banana farming in Brazil [9]. This fact may be interpreted as an indication that the use of pesticides is linked to a toxicological profile which results in DNA damage as well as cytotoxic effects.…”

“…Hence, biomarkers are of great value to identify early biological effects in an exposed population. Specifically for banana farming, a study investigated mutagenicity and cytotoxicity in buccal mucosal cells for farm workers in Brazil [9] and showed a high risk. Similar results have been obtained for coffee plantation workers [10][11][12].…”

“…In this article, we present data on indicators of genotoxicity/mutagenicity and cytotoxicity in ecological and conventional banana farming in Ecuador. Given the results of previous studies [9,10] we anticipated cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of pesticides, but here we provide a detailed overview regarding types of nuclear anomalies. Additionally, we intended to examine whether adherence to specific hygiene measures is connected with less nuclear anomalies.…”

Genomic Instability in Peripheral Blood and Buccal Mucosal Cells of Marijuana Smokers: The Impact of Tobacco Smoke

“…To date, some research groups have investigated putative biomarkers for biomonitoring continuous exposure of human populations to environmental mutagens and carcinogens (Maranho et al, 2017;Claudio et al, 2019). Among them, micronucleus and single cell gel comet assays are simple, low cost, reproducible and non-invasive methodologies for investigating cytogenetic damage and DNA strand breaks in eukaryotic cells, respectively (Tice et al, 2000;Bonassi et al, 2011).…”

Increased DNA Damage, Instability and Cytokinesis Defects in Occupationally Exposed Car Painters

“…Human biomonitoring studies have tried to establish an association between the risk for future diseases and occupational exposure, life style and environmental and nutritional contamination (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). In this context, car painting represents a potential occupational hazard, especially due to the known use of benzene, isocyanates, toluene and xylene (12,13).…”