Occupational risk assessment of oxidative stress and genotoxicity in workers exposed to paints during a working week

Abstract

Objectives: Paints are complex mixtures of solvents and metals that can induce health damages in workers exposed to them. The aim of the present work was to evaluate possible oxidative and genotoxic effects in workers exposed to paints. Material and Methods: Peripheral blood and buccal cell samples were collected from 33 workers exposed to paints and 29 non-exposed workers (controls) during an ordinary working week (Monday morning and Friday evening). Oxidative markers were assessed using thiobarbituric acid assay, carbonylated proteins, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Hippuric acid and delta-aminolevulinic acid were determined as biomarkers of toluene and lead exposure, respectively. Genotoxicity was measured through comet assay and micronucleus (MN) frequencies. Results: The exposed group showed higher hippuric acid and delta-aminolevulinic acid levels (Friday samples) and lower superoxide dismutase activity (Monday samples) in relation to control group. DNA damage index (comet assay) was higher in the exposed group, both in Monday and Friday samples, compared to the control group. No differences were observed in frequency of micronuclei (MN) between the groups, either in lymphocytes or buccal cells. However, the exposed group presented an increase (Monday samples) in nuclear buds frequency in lymphocytes -a marker of gene amplificationas well as an increase in condensed chromatin in the buccal cells (Monday and Friday samples), suggesting induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, a decrease in the nuclear division index (Friday samples) was observed in the exposed group, indicating that paint exposure induces cytostatic effects in lymphocytes. Conclusion: The results suggest that individuals exposed to paints have increased levels of DNA damage.

Oxidative DNA damages by chemical exposures at work

“…The paints exposed group showed higher hippuric acid and delta-aminolevulinic acid levels (friday samples) and lower superoxide dismutase activity (monday samples) in relation to control group. DNA damage index (Comet assay) was higher in the exposed group, both in monday and friday samples, compared to the control group [43]. The results suggest that individuals exposed to paints have increased levels of DNA damage.…”

CYP2E1 epigenetic regulation in chronic, low-level toluene exposure: Relationship with oxidative stress and smoking habit

“…Human and cell-culture studies have implicated oxidative stress, inflammation and induction of apoptosis in toluene induced toxicity (Haro-García et al, 2012;Sarma et al, 2011;Mögel et al, 2011;Kim et al, 2011). Toluene has also shown genotoxic effects (Moro et al, 2012;Cassini et al, 2011;Rekhadevi et al, 2010;González-Yebra et al, 2009) and an increased risk of developing hematologic malignancies (Breccia et al, 2012;Cocco et al, 2010;Costantini et al, 2008;Jung et al, 2007). Toluene biotransformation takes place in the liver by the cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) isoform, producing mainly hippuric acid, which is excreted in urine (Nakajima and Wang, 1994).…”

DNA damage and cytotoxicity in pathology laboratory technicians exposed to organic solvents

“…Many studies have evaluated occupational risk of workers from different industries/activities, like paint workers (Cassini et al 2011), gas station attendants (Trevisan et al 2014), styrene production workers (Holz et al 1995), military (Hughes and Hunting 2013), and nurses exposed to antineoplastic drugs (Mahboob et al 2012).…”