Olewińska Elżbieta, Kasperczyk Aleksandra, Kapka Lucyna, Kozłowska Agnieszka, Pawlas Natalia, Dobrakowski Michał, Birkner Ewa, Kasperczyk Sławomir
Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Sosnowiec, Poland.
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2010;17(2):231-6.
Lead plays a significant role in modern industry. This metal is related to a broad range of physiological, biochemical and behavioural dysfunctions. The genotoxic effects of lead have been studied both in animals and humans in in vitro systems but results were contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between DNA damage and occupational exposure to lead in workers. The study population consisted of 62 employees of metalworks exposed to lead in the southern region of Poland. The control group consisted of 26 office workers with no history of occupational exposure to lead. The concentration of lead (PbB) and zincprotoporphyrin (ZPP) in blood samples were measured. The DNA damage was analyzed in blood lymphocytes using alkaline comet assay. The level of DNA damage was determined as the percentage of DNA in the tail, tail length and tail moment. The lead exposure indicators were significantly higher in lead exposed group: PbB about 8.5 times and ZPP 3.3 times. Also, the percentage of DNA in the tail (60.3 ± 14 vs. 37.1 ± 17.6), comet tail length (86.9 ± 15.49 vs. 73.8 ± 19.12) and TM (57.8 ± 17.82 vs. 33.2 ± 19.13) were significantly higher in the study group when compared with the controls; however, the difference between the subgroups was only 5-10%. Years of lead exposure positively correlated with all comet assay parameters (R = 0.21-0.41). Both mean and current PbB and ZPP were correlated with tail DNA % and TM (R = 0.32; R = 0.33; R = 0.24; R = 0.26 and R = 0.34; R = 0.33; R = 0.28 and R = 0.28, respectively). This study shows that occupational exposure to lead is associated with DNA damage and confirmed that comet assay is a rapid, sensitive method suitable for biomonitoring studies.
铅在现代工业中发挥着重要作用。这种金属与广泛的生理、生化和行为功能障碍有关。铅的遗传毒性作用已在动物和人体的体外系统中进行了研究，但结果相互矛盾。本研究的目的是调查工人DNA损伤与职业性铅暴露之间的关联。研究人群包括波兰南部地区62名接触铅的金属制品厂员工。对照组由26名无职业性铅暴露史的办公室职员组成。测量了血样中铅（PbB）和锌原卟啉（ZPP）的浓度。使用碱性彗星试验分析血淋巴细胞中的DNA损伤。DNA损伤水平通过尾中DNA百分比、尾长和尾矩来确定。铅暴露组的铅暴露指标显著更高：PbB约高8.5倍，ZPP高3.3倍。此外，与对照组相比，研究组的尾中DNA百分比（60.3±14对37.1±17.6）、彗星尾长（86.9±15.49对73.8±19.12）和尾矩（57.8±17.82对33.2±19.13）也显著更高；然而，亚组之间的差异仅为5 - 10%。铅暴露年限与所有彗星试验参数呈正相关（R = 0.21 - 0.41）。平均和当前的PbB及ZPP均与尾DNA%和尾矩相关（R分别为0.32；0.33；0.24；0.26和0.34；0.33；0.28和0.28）。本研究表明，职业性铅暴露与DNA损伤有关，并证实彗星试验是一种适用于生物监测研究的快速、灵敏方法。
