The Role of Molecular Biology in the Biomonitoring of Human Exposure to Chemicals

Abstract

Exposure to different substances in an occupational environment is of utmost concern to global agencies such as the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization. Interest in improving work health conditions, particularly of those employees exposed to noxious chemicals, has increased considerably and has stimulated the search for new, more specific and selective tests. Recently, the field of molecular biology has been indicated as an alternative technique for monitoring personnel while evaluating work-related pathologies. Originally, occupational exposure to environmental toxicants was assessed using biochemical techniques to determine the presence of higher concentrations of toxic compounds in blood, urine, or other fluids or tissues; results were used to evaluate potential health risk. However, this approach only estimates the presence of a noxious chemical and its effects, but does not prevent or diminish the risk. Molecular biology methods have become very useful in occupational medicine to provide more accurate and opportune diagnostics. In this review, we discuss the role of the following common techniques: (1) Use of cell cultures; (2) evaluation of gene expression; (3) the “omic” sciences (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) and (4) bioinformatics. We suggest that molecular biology has many applications in occupational health where the data can be applied to general environmental conditions.

Cytogenetic status of healthy children assessed with the alkaline comet assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay

“…It combines the above-mentioned technologies with conventional toxicology to analyze effects of occupational exposure on thousands of genes and proteins simultaneously. The creation of databanks and the development of new methods to analyze multiple genes or products simultaneously offer new opportunities in toxicological studies and occupational health [69,70]. This approach could become crucial for understanding and identifying the cellular or biochemical targets of environmental pollutants and the underlying physiological response.…”

Application of classic epidemiological studies and proteomics in research of occupational and environmental exposure to lead, cadmium and arsenic

“…The use of proteomics in screening and predictive toxicology has two principal applications: examining toxic effects of heavy metals on protein expression can be useful for gaining insight into the biomolecular mechanism of toxicity and for identifying potential candidate metal-specific protein markers of exposure and effect (Benninghoff, 2007;Dowling and Sheehan, 2006;Gao et al, 2009;Kossowska et al, 2010;Luque-Garcia et al, 2011;Muñoz and Albores, 2010;Nesatyy and Suter, 2008;Wang and Fowler, 2008). However, the association between many biomarkers and outcome is not direct because of variability in sensitivity and susceptibility in the individuals (Ryan et al, 2007).…”

“…Originally, occupational exposure to environmental toxicants was assessed using biochemical techniques to determine the presence of higher concentrations of toxic compounds in blood, urine, or other fluids or tissues; the results were used to evaluate potential health risk (Muñoz and Albores, 2010). However, recent advances in analytical techniques used in classical epidemiological studies provide the possibility to develop single biomarkers that signal subtle, early changes in people exposed even to low doses of heavy metals.…”

“…In combination with conventional toxicology and pathology they enable analysis of the effects of environmental and occupational exposure on thousands of proteins, genes, and metabolites simultaneously. These 'omics' technologies are relatively new biomarker discovery tools that can be applied to study large sets of biological molecules (Benninghoff, 2007;Muñoz and Albores, 2010;Vineis et al, 2009;Vlaanderen et al, 2010).…”

Evaluation of Genotoxic Effects of Asbestos on Occupationally Exposed Workers in Brazil

“…Such indicators are vital tools to assess damage to health caused by exposure to certain chemicals. They are associated with biochemical and physiological changes and they also provide information that is used to estimate risk to human health [9][10][11]. Regarding pneumoconiosis, such changes are associated with chronic inflammatory processes linked to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the lower respiratory tract [9,12].…”