Association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure levels and nucleoplasmic bridge and nuclear bud frequencies in coke-oven workers / 中华预防医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To seek new effect biomarkers as to evaluating the chromosomal damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes in coke-oven workers who were exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and fifty-eight coke-oven workers and 69 controls were recruited in this study. Nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds were counted as indicators of chromosomal damage in terms of cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) test. Occupational history, age, sex, smoking and alcohol using status of all subjects were collected by questionnaire.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Frequencies of nucleoplasmic bridge in coke-oven workers were (9.41 +/- 3.73)% per hundred, and the frequencies of nuclear buds were (7.13 +/- 4.01)% per hundred, which were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those of controls (1.88 +/- 1.49)% per hundred and (2.20 +/- 1.73)% per hundred respectively. The dose-effect relationships between nucleoplasmic bridges or nuclear buds and PAHs exposure levels were identified. Compared with male coke-oven workers, female workers had less nucleoplasmic bridges or nuclear buds. No effects of age, smoking and alcohol using were found on nucleoplasmic bridges or nuclear buds among coke-oven workers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds might be effect biomarkers in coke-oven workers.</p>