Detection of Benzo[a] pyrenediol epoxide-DNA adducts in White Blood Cells of Asphalt Plant Workers in Syria

Razan Zohairee,Mohammad Amer Zamrik,Sophie Barguil

doi:10.5958/0974-360x.2018.00618.2

Abstract

Background: Benzo [a] pyrene is considered a classic DNA-damaging carcinogen and is a lead compound of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.B [a] Pis metabolically activated by cytochrome P450 enzymes to formation electrophilic metabolites such as epoxides. These epoxides might bind to DNA and produce DNA-adducts. ELISA method is used for determination of DNA adducts of benzo [a] pyrenediolepoxide (BPDE). Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate exposure to B [a] P in asphalt plant workers by measuring the BPDE-DNA adducts in their peripheral white blood cells (WBC), which are considered biological markers for exposure risk assessment. MaterialandMethods: In this study, the levels of BPDE-DNA adducts were measured in DNA samples of WBC obtained from asphalt plant workers in Syria and compared to those measured from a control group. The measurement was performed using BPDE-DNA Adducts ELISA kit. The sample size was determined to be 50 with 25 asphalt plant workers and 25 healthy volunteers with no occupational exposure to Benzo [a] pyrene. Results: BPDE-DNA adducts were detected in WBC of 11 asphalt plant workers with concentrations ranging between 0 and 2.75 ng/ml and only one individual in the control group with concentration of 0.75 ng/ml. These results indicate a significant positive relationship betweenexposure toB [a] P through the bitumen fumes (working in asphalt plant) and formation of BPDE-DNA adducts. Conclusions: BPDE-DNA adducts area potential biomarker for PAHs exposure and likely helpful indicator of PAH-induced DNA damage.

Highlights

Workers are exposed during the asphalt industry to bitumen fumes that contain poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [1], organic vapors, silica dust, diesel exhaust, asbestos fibers and coal tar [2].Exposure to bitumen fumes causes headache, fatigue, lack of appetite, eye, skin and bronchitis irritation, coughing, bronchitis, asthma [3], genotoxic effects [4], damaging DNA [5], cancer lung [6], increases the risk of developing bladder cancer [7].Erythrocyte - A Peripheral Biomarker for Infection and Inflammationpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) are known environmental pollutants with harmful effect on human health
We examine the relationship between being an asphalt worker and detection of B[a] P diolepoxide (BPDE)-DNA adducts in the white blood cells (WBC), which can be a useful surrogate exposure risk
Laboratory studies showed significantly higher the number of WBC with T-student test among the exposed group compared to the control group (8.72 ± 1.92 and P = 0.015), lymphocytes (32.09 ± 6.99 and P = 0.003). (HCT) and (MCHC) were significantly higher among the study group compared to the control group (P = 0.034 and P < 0.0001, respectively)

Summary

Introduction

Workers are exposed during the asphalt industry to bitumen fumes that contain poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [1], organic vapors, silica dust, diesel exhaust, asbestos fibers and coal tar [2].Exposure to bitumen fumes causes headache, fatigue, lack of appetite, eye, skin and bronchitis irritation, coughing, bronchitis, asthma [3], genotoxic effects [4], damaging DNA [5], cancer lung [6], increases the risk of developing bladder cancer [7].Erythrocyte - A Peripheral Biomarker for Infection and InflammationPAHs are known environmental pollutants with harmful effect on human health. B[a]P is formed during incomplete combustion of organic materials and pyrolysis of inorganic compounds [9] B[a]P is found in cigarette smoke [10], cooked food [11], and various combustion gases such as vehicle exhaust [12]. It is generated from some industrial operations such as those of cooking ovens, heavy oil plants [13] and asphalt plants [14]. Given its harmful effects on health, B[a]P was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (2012) among the highly genotoxic compounds and categorized to “group 1 carcinogenic to humans” [15]

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