Leukocyte telomere length is not affected by long-term occupational exposure to nano metal oxides

Abstract

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether long-term occupational exposure to nanoparticles would affect relative leukocyte telomere length (LrTL). We analysed occupational exposure to size-resolved aerosol particles, with special emphasis on nanoparticles at two workshops: i/ the production of nanocomposites containing metal oxides; ii/ laboratory to test experimental exposure of nano-CuO to rodents. Thirty five exposed researchers (age 39.5 ± 12.6 yr; exposure duration 6.0 ± 3.7 yr) and 43 controls (40.4 ± 10.5 yr) were examined. LrTL did not significantly (p=0.14) differ between the exposed researchers (0.92 ± 0.13) and controls (0.86 ± 0.15). In addition, no significant correlation (r=−0.22, p=0.22) was detected between the duration of occupational exposure and LrTL. The results remained non-significant after multiple adjustments for age, sex and smoking status. Our pilot results suggest that relative leukocyte telomere length is not affected by occupational exposure to nanoparticles.

DNA Methylation Profiles in a Group of Workers Occupationally Exposed to Nanoparticles

“…We continued with our research focused on biomonitoring researchers exposed to NP during the nanocomposite producing processes (welding, machining). We had already analyzed the markers of oxidative stress, cytogenetic alterations (levels of total and centromere positive and negative micronuclei (MN)), leukocyte telomere length, as well as DNA damage assessed by comet assay [20][21][22][23][24][25]. The results obtained by micronucleus assay showed a lack of long-term (years) exposure effects in contrast to the evident effects of short-term exposure.…”