Biomarkers of chromosomal damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a meta-analysis

Abstract

A crucial early event in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) carcinogenesis is the induction of genomic instability phenotype that initiates the progression of a proliferative cell into a cancer cell. However, epidemiological results have been inconsistent. To assess reported studies of associations between the levels of chromosomal damage including sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosomal aberrations (CA), and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) in peripheral blood lymphocytes and occupational exposure to PAHs. Meta-analysis on the association between chromosomal damage and occupational exposure to PAHs was performed with STATA 10.0 software package and Review Manager 4.2.10 in this study. We found statistically significant differences in the frequencies of SCE, CBMN, and CA (aberrations per 100 cells) in peripheral blood lymphocytes between PAHs-exposed group and control group, and the summary estimates of weighted mean difference were 1.42 (95% CI: 0.82-2.02), 1.22 (95% CI: 0.33-2.10), and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.37-1.56), respectively. Data indicate that the frequencies of SCE, CBMN, and CA (aberrations per 100 cells) in peripheral blood lymphocytes might be indicators of early genetic effects for occupationally PAHs-exposed population.