Evaluation of genotoxic damage in buccal mucosa cytome assays in Iraqi school children exposed to air pollutants emanating from oil fields.

Presently, over 135 thousand barrels of crude oil are extracted daily from the Al-ahdeb oil fields (situated at 180 km south east of Baghdad, Iraq). Millions of gallons of untreated toxic wastes, gas and crude oil are released into the environment. Oil mining mediated pollution may cause damage to humans and the environment. To investigate potential health risks for children living in this area, we recruited a sample of 6-8 year old school children residing within a 5 km radius around the oil field, and a control sample of children of the same age from a school 40 km away from the oil-field. Exfoliated buccal mucosa cells obtained from these children were analyzed applying the micronucleus (MN) cytome assay. Possible confounding variables such as x-rays performed during three weeks preceding sampling were obtained by a questionnaire. Nuclear anomalies were significantly elevated in children living near the oil-field. Micronucleated cells 1.3-fold, nuclear buds 3-folds, binucleated cells 3-folds, karyorrhetic cells 4-folds and karyolysis more than 10 folds with a significant difference (P < 0.05). Hence, children living in the proximity of Iraqi oil-fields are at elevated risk of genetic damage, which can cause detrimental health effects in the future.

Early genotoxic damage through micronucleus test in exfoliated buccal cells and occupational dust exposure in construction workers: a cross-sectional study in L'Aquila, Italy.

AIM: The city of L'Aquila (central Italy) was hit by a strong earthquake in 2009 that caused the collapse of several buildings, deaths and injured people. In the following years, a great number of building sites were activated, building workers resulted intensely exposed and represent a relevant target for research on environmental mutagenesis and epidemiological surveillance. Cells of buccal mucosa are considered an appropriate site for early detecting of cytogenetic damage, since it represents the first barrier in inhalation or ingestion and can metabolize carcinogenic agents into reactive chemicals. Our study is aimed 1) at comparing the early genotoxic damage as measured by the buccal mucosa micronucleus test in two subgroups of workers defined by different occupational exposure and 2) at evaluating possible confounding variables such as lifestyle factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in L'Aquila, on 24 outdoor workers (OWs) highly exposed on the construction sites and 26 indoor workers (IWs), all subjected to the compulsory occupational surveillance system, in the period 2017-2018. Buccal cells samples were collected and, based on the Micronucleus test, the exfoliated cells were classified in respect of nuclear changes observed. Moreover, a self-report questionnaire composed of 84 items, was administered to the workers. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between Exp+ (OWs) and Exp- (IWs) in the number of the analyzed cells (expressed as mean value out of 1000 cells): respectively 954.46 vs 990.06 normal cells, (p < 0.001); 19.79 vs 4.95 micronucleated cells, as marker of chromosomal damage (p < 0.001); 13.93 vs 8.96 binucleated cells, as marker of failed cytokinesis (p < 0.001); 2.09 vs 1.18 karyolytic cells, as marker of cell death and damaged DNA (p < 0.05). According with a multivariate regression analysis, in addition to the job exposure (OW vs IW, beta = 12.221, p < 0.001), the only variable independently associated with an increase in Micronuclei (MNs) is the smoking habit (OWs vs IWs, beta = 6.683, p < 0.001) which, even if not associated with dust exposure, worsens cell integrity. Moreover, this worsening effect is weaker in workers not exposed to the site dust (moderation effect). Within social demographic factors, the high educational level only apparently seems to affect MNs number: even if unbalanced in favor of IWs vs OWs, this variable resulted a confounder, since its effect disappears when the interaction between these two factors is considered, because it is a covariate of smoking habit as well as of the job condition. CONCLUSION: Despite some limitation, our findings clearly confirm the role of occupational exposure as a marker of cytogenetic damage associated with MNs number in construction workers. Moreover, smoking status appears as the only other investigated factor independently associated to the outcome. The statistical model, in addition, highlights possible moderation and confounding effects, such as interaction between smoking and occupational exposure and the unbalanced school education level in workers. Micronucleus test in exfoliated buccal cells would be considered a suitable method for studying the early genotoxic damage in the construction occupational setting as well as in evaluating the efficacy of preventive practices.

In vivo evaluation of fluoride and sodium lauryl sulphate in toothpaste on buccal epithelial cells toxicity.

OBJECTIVES: The present study addresses the effect of fluoride and sodium lauryl sulphate content of toothpaste on oral epithelial cells in vivo conditions. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Forty volunteers were assigned into two experimental groups, each of them applying the different brand of toothpaste. Every group has been using three different types of toothpaste (non-fluoride and non-SLS, fluoride and non-SLS, and the fluoride and SLS) of the same brand for 6 months, each for 2 months. The buccal epithelial cells were sampled at baseline and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after the beginning of the research. Effect on DNA damage was analyzed by micronucleus assay Results: After 60 days of use, for both tested kinds of toothpaste with fluoride and without SLS, all studied parameters were not significantly different from the results obtained at the time when the participants used a non-fluoride toothpaste. While, after 60 days of use, for one kind of toothpaste with SLS and fluoride, was observed significantly higher incidence of pyknotic cells (2.20 ± 0.95, 0.00 ± 0.00 vs. 0.05 ± 0.22, respectively; p = .001), cells with karyorrhexis (2.35 ± 1.14, 0.85 ± 0.93 vs. 0.40 ± 0.68, respectively; p = .001), and nuclear buds (1.35 ± 0.68, 0.45 ± 0.51 vs. 0.45 ± 0.60, respectively; p = .001), compared to toothpastes of the same brand with fluoride and without SLS, and without fluoride and without SLS, for the same period. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, can be concluded that there is no fluorine-dependent cytotoxic or genotoxic effect, while SLS dentifrice increases the number of nuclear morphological changes in buccal epithelial cells.

Micronuclei in Exfoliated Buccal Cells of Children Living in a Cluster Area of Salento (Southern Italy) with a High Incidence of Lung Cancer: The IMP.AIR Study.

During the years 2014⁻2016 the University of Salento performed the "Impact of Air Quality on Health of Residents in the Municipalities of Cutrofiano, Galatina, Sogliano Cavour, Soleto and Sternatia" (IMP.AIR) study, an epidemiological-molecular research project aiming to evaluate early DNA damage in children living in an area of Salento with high incidence of lung cancer among the male population. One hundred and twenty-two children aged 6⁻8 years attending primary school were enrolled and the frequency of micronucleated cells (MNC) in oral mucosa was evaluated. In addition, a questionnaire was administered to parents to obtain information about personal data, anthropometric characteristics and lifestyles (physical activity, food habits, family context) of the children and perform a multivariate analysis to detect any factors associated with MNC occurrence. Data on airborne pollutants detected in the study area were acquired by the Regional Agency for the Environmental Protection. The presence of MNC was highlighted in about 42% of children with a mean MNC frequency of 0.49‰. The frequency of MNC was associated to obesity, consumption of red or processed meat and having a mother who smokes. Moreover, the prevalence of biomarkers was higher than in another area of Salento not included in the cluster area.

Genotoxicity assessment data for exfoliated buccal cells exposed to mobile phone radiation.

Healthy mobile phone users aged 18-30 y.o. provided exfoliated buccal cells samples from the right and left inner cheeks. A total of 2000 cells per subject were screened for the presence of micronuclei as a sign of genotoxic damage, according to the mobile phone use profile of each user.

Is mobile phone radiation genotoxic? An analysis of micronucleus frequency in exfoliated buccal cells.

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are classified as "possibly carcinogenic" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Some publications have reported associations between EMF exposure and DNA damage, but many other studies contradict such findings. Cytomorphological changes, such as micronuclei (MN), indicative of genomic damage, are biomarkers of genotoxicity. To test whether mobile phone-associated EMF exposure affects the MN frequency in exfoliated buccal cells, we obtained cells smears from the left and right inner cheeks of healthy mobile phone users, aged 18-30 (n=86), who also completed a characterization survey. MN frequencies were tested for potential confounding factors and for duration of phone use and preferential side of mobile phone use. No relationship was observed between MN frequency and duration of mobile phone use in daily calls. Cells ipsilateral to mobile phone use did not present a statistically significantly higher MN frequency, compared to cells contralateral to exposure. A highly statistically significant (p<0.0001) increase in MN frequency was found in subjects reporting regular exposure to genotoxic agents. Therefore, our results suggest that mobile phone-associated EMF do not to induce MN formation in buccal cells at the observed exposure levels.

Frequência de micronúcleos em células esfoliadas da mucosa bucal de pacientes obesos / Micronuclei frequency in exfoliated buccal cells of obese patients

A crescente incidência da obesidade e suas comorbidades constituem-se em um grande desafio para a saúde no mundo. Além da doença cardiovascular e do diabetes, dados epidemiológicos demonstraram ligação entre a obesidade e diversos tipos de câncer. As alterações citogenéticas tem sido utilizadas como biomarcadores para identificação de danos celulares. Este estudo teve como objetivos: comparar a frequência dos tipos celulares (células basais e diferenciadas), anormalidades nucleares (células binucleadas, picnóticas, cariorréticas, cariolíticas e com cromatina condensada) e de danos celulares (micronúcleos e brotos nucleares) de células bucais esfoliadas em um grupo de obesos (teste) e em um grupo de indivíduos com peso normal (controle). A amostra foi composta por 30 indivíduos, sendo o grupo teste constituído por indivíduos obesos mórbidos (n=15) e o grupo controle por indivíduos com peso normal (n=15). A classificação do peso corporal foi feita de acordo com o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC); um questionário forneceu informações sobre exposições ocupacionais e não ocupacionais; hábitos e dieta. As células da mucosa bucal foram coletadas da mucosa jugal, de ambos os lados, processadas e analisadas microscopicamente. Para cada indivíduo foram avaliadas 1000 células para a caracterização dos tipos celulares (basal e diferenciada) e alterações nucleares (células binucleadas, picnose, cariólise, cariorrexe, cromatina condensada) e 2000 células diferenciadas para verificar a presença de danos celulares (micronúcleos e brotos nucleares). Os dados foram processados e analisados estatisticamente, por meio do teste de Mann Whitney. Considerou-se o nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). Observaram-se diferenças nas frequências de tipos celulares e anomalias nucleares para os dois grupos, porém estas diferenças não foram significativas (p>0,05). Quanto ao tipo de dano celular, notou-se a mesma frequência de brotos nucleares para ambos os grupos, entretanto...

The increasing incidence of obesity and its co-morbid conditions poses a great challenge to global health. In addition to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, epidemiological data demonstrate a link between obesity and multiple types of cancer. The buccal micronucleus cytome assay has been used as a biomarker for identification of cell damage. This study aimed to compare the frequency of cell types (basal and differentiated), nuclear anomalies (binucleated, pyknotic, karyorrhectic, karyolitic and condensed chromatin cells), and cell damage (micronuclei and nuclear buds) in exfoliated buccal cells in a group of obese (test) and a group of normal weight (control).The sample consisted of 30 subjects, the test group comprised of individuals with morbid obesity (n = 15) and a control group of normal weight (n = 15). The classification of body weight was made according to Body Mass Index (BMI), a questionnaire provided information on occupational exposures and non-occupational, lifestyle and diet. The oral mucosa cells were collected from the buccal mucosa, on both sides, processed and analyzed microscopically. For each individual 1000 cells were evaluated for the characterization of cell types (basal and differentiated) and nuclear abnormalities (binucleated cells, pyknosis, karyolysis, karyorrhexis, condensed chromatin) and 2000 differentiated cells for the presence of cellular damage (micronuclei and nuclear buds). The data were processed and statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. We considered the significance level of 5% (p <0.05). Differences were observed in the frequencies of cell types and nuclear abnormalities in both groups, but these differences were not significant (p> 0.05). Regarding the type of cell damage, we noticed the same frequency of nuclear buds for both groups, however, the frequency of micronuclei was higher in the obese group (p <0.001). In this study, there was a higher frequency of micronuclei in...

Frequência de micronúcleos em células esfoliadas da mucosa bucal de pacientes obesos / Micronuclei frequency in exfoliated buccal cells of obese patients

A crescente incidência da obesidade e suas comorbidades constituem-se em um grande desafio para a saúde no mundo. Além da doença cardiovascular e do diabetes, dados epidemiológicos demonstraram ligação entre a obesidade e diversos tipos de câncer. As alterações citogenéticas tem sido utilizadas como biomarcadores para identificação de danos celulares. Este estudo teve como objetivos: comparar a frequência dos tipos celulares (células basais e diferenciadas), anormalidades nucleares (células binucleadas, picnóticas, cariorréticas, cariolíticas e com cromatina condensada) e de danos celulares (micronúcleos e brotos nucleares) de células bucais esfoliadas em um grupo de obesos (teste) e em um grupo de indivíduos com peso normal (controle). A amostra foi composta por 30 indivíduos, sendo o grupo teste constituído por indivíduos obesos mórbidos (n=15) e o grupo controle por indivíduos com peso normal (n=15). A classificação do peso corporal foi feita de acordo com o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC); um questionário forneceu informações sobre exposições ocupacionais e não ocupacionais; hábitos e dieta. As células da mucosa bucal foram coletadas da mucosa jugal, de ambos os lados, processadas e analisadas microscopicamente. Para cada indivíduo foram avaliadas 1000 células para a caracterização dos tipos celulares (basal e diferenciada) e alterações nucleares (células binucleadas, picnose, cariólise, cariorrexe, cromatina condensada) e 2000 células diferenciadas para verificar a presença de danos celulares (micronúcleos e brotos nucleares). Os dados foram processados e analisados estatisticamente, por meio do teste de Mann Whitney. Considerou-se o nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). Observaram-se diferenças nas frequências de tipos celulares e anomalias nucleares para os dois grupos, porém estas diferenças não foram significativas (p>0,05). Quanto ao tipo de dano celular, notou-se a mesma frequência de brotos nucleares para ambos os grupos, entretanto...

The increasing incidence of obesity and its co-morbid conditions poses a great challenge to global health. In addition to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, epidemiological data demonstrate a link between obesity and multiple types of cancer. The buccal micronucleus cytome assay has been used as a biomarker for identification of cell damage. This study aimed to compare the frequency of cell types (basal and differentiated), nuclear anomalies (binucleated, pyknotic, karyorrhectic, karyolitic and condensed chromatin cells), and cell damage (micronuclei and nuclear buds) in exfoliated buccal cells in a group of obese (test) and a group of normal weight (control).The sample consisted of 30 subjects, the test group comprised of individuals with morbid obesity (n = 15) and a control group of normal weight (n = 15). The classification of body weight was made according to Body Mass Index (BMI), a questionnaire provided information on occupational exposures and non-occupational, lifestyle and diet. The oral mucosa cells were collected from the buccal mucosa, on both sides, processed and analyzed microscopically. For each individual 1000 cells were evaluated for the characterization of cell types (basal and differentiated) and nuclear abnormalities (binucleated cells, pyknosis, karyolysis, karyorrhexis, condensed chromatin) and 2000 differentiated cells for the presence of cellular damage (micronuclei and nuclear buds). The data were processed and statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. We considered the significance level of 5% (p <0.05). Differences were observed in the frequencies of cell types and nuclear abnormalities in both groups, but these differences were not significant (p> 0.05). Regarding the type of cell damage, we noticed the same frequency of nuclear buds for both groups, however, the frequency of micronuclei was higher in the obese group (p <0.001). In this study, there was a higher frequency of micronuclei in...

Nuclear anomalies in the buccal cells of calcite factory workers.

The micronucleus (MN) assay on exfoliated buccal cells is a useful and minimally invasive method for monitoring genetic damage in humans. To determine the genotoxic effects of calcite dust that forms during processing, MN assay was carried out in exfoliated buccal cells of 50 (25 smokers and 25 non-smokers) calcite factory workers and 50 (25 smokers and 25 non-smokers) age- and sex-matched control subjects. Frequencies of nuclear abnormalities (NA) other than micronuclei, such as binucleates, karyorrhexis, karyolysis and 'broken eggs', were also evaluated. Micronuclei and the other aforementioned anomalies were analysed by two way analysis of covariance. The linear correlations between the types of micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities were determined by Spearman's Rho. There was a positive correlation between micronuclei and other types of nuclear abnormalities in accordance with the Spearman's Rho test. Results showed statistically significant difference between calcite fabric workers and control groups. MN and NA frequencies in calcite fabric workers were significantly higher than those in control groups (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that calcite fabric workers are under risk of significant cytogenetic damage.

Nuclear anomalies in the buccal cells of calcite factory workers

The micronucleus (MN) assay on exfoliated buccal cells is a useful and minimally invasive method for monitoring genetic damage in humans. To determine the genotoxic effects of calcite dust that forms during processing, MN assay was carried out in exfoliated buccal cells of 50 (25 smokers and 25 non-smokers) calcite factory workers and 50 (25 smokers and 25 non-smokers) age- and sex-matched control subjects. Frequencies of nuclear abnormalities (NA) other than micronuclei, such as binucleates, karyorrhexis, karyolysis and 'broken eggs', were also evaluated. Micronuclei and the other aforementioned anomalies were analysed by two way analysis of covariance. The linear correlations between the types of micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities were determined by Spearman's Rho. There was a positive correlation between micronuclei and other types of nuclear abnormalities in accordance with the Spearman's Rho test. Results showed statistically significant difference between calcite fabric workers and control groups. MN and NA frequencies in calcite fabric workers were significantly higher than those in control groups (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that calcite fabric workers are under risk of significant cytogenetic damage.