Associations between sperm quality, DNA damage, and CYP1A1, GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms with 1-hydroxypyrene urinary levels in men occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

PURPOSE: During recent decades, several reports have suggested a decrease in semen quality and DNA damage due in part to environmental toxicants and industrial chemicals. Among these xenobiotics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of particular concern because of their remarkable mutagenic and carcinogenic properties and because several experimental and epidemiological studies have reported adverse effects of PAHs on male reproductive health and DNA structure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) urinary levels and sperm quality, DNA damage and the frequency of CYP1A1, GSTT1, and GSTM1 polymorphisms. METHODS: Semen, urine and blood samples were taken for sperm-quality assessment, 1-OHP urinary level measurement, DNA damage evaluation and polymorphism frequency analysis of three genes implicated in PAH metabolism in a total of 70 Mexican subjects exposed and nonexposed to PAHs. RESULTS: A significant decrease in sperm quality and increased DNA damage were registered in occupationally exposed volunteers. Polymorphisms modified the 1-OHP urinary levels; however, no associations were found between them. Inverse associations were registered between the sperm concentration/mL and 1-OHP levels and between tail lengths and the GSMT1 null genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed an inverse association between 1-OHP urinary levels and both sperm quality and the DNA integrity. Additionally, the heterozygote variants of CYP1A1-m1 and CYP1A1-m2 significantly increased the urinary excretion of 1-OHP, and the GSTM1 null variant was inversely associated with the comet parameters evaluated.

Lung function, asthma paradox, atopy, and risk factors in Mexican spirometry-diagnosed asthmatic patients.

Despite long-term studies, still not much is known about the asthma triggering factors and its sometimes controversial results. Probably one of the major problems of controversy is the lack of specific and accurate diagnosis of this disease. The aim of this study was to assess lung function, atopy, and environmental factors in spirometry-diagnosed asthmatic patients. Time series of daily counts of hospital emergency admissions were constructed for known asthmatic subjects. Spirometry, chest radiograph, arterial gasometry, skin tests, environmental SO2 levels, and climatic parameters were evaluated. Family asthma history was observed in a high proportion of asthmatic patients and it correlated marginally with severity of asthma. A seasonal trend in asthma frequency was recorded and it was more common in the urban area and in those living in the margins of the city. The most frequent asthma type recorded was the severe persistent asthma. More than 50% of subjects had subresponse to bronchodilator; asthma paradox was recorded in 10.8%. Positive skin tests were observed in 36.9% and SO2 levels did not correlate with asthma attacks. Paradox asthma or tolerance may be developed by asthmatic subjects during chronic treatment with short-acting 92-agonists. To avoid side effects and to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with the usage of antiasthma medications, it is essential to identify quickly those subjects that respond abnormally to the short-acting P2-agonist.