Nuclear anomalies in the buccal cells of calcite factory workers.

Songül Budak Diler,Serap Ergene

doi:10.1590/s1415-47572010005000021

Songül Budak Diler, Serap Ergene

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1415-47572010005000021

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

The chemical formula of calcite that forms limestone is CaCO3 (Cotton and Wilkinson, 1988)
Test has been employed on buccal epithelial cells (Sarto et al, 1987; Tolbert et al, 1992; Levine et al, 1997), The MN test, which is scientifically approved, is important in demonstrating the genotoxic effects of harmful substances on human health (Nersesyan, 2005; Nersesyan et al, 2006; Fenech et al, 2007), such as in measuring genotoxicity in petrol station employees (Çelik et al, 2003; Benites et al, 2006), agricultural workers (Pastor et al, 2001), cigarette smokers and tobacco users (Özkul et al, 1997; Besaratinia et al, 2000; Proia et al, 2006)
It has been used in workers exposed to pesticides (Pastor et al, 2002), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Karahalil et al, 1999), timber dust (Çelik and Kanik, 2006), ozone and cancer patients (Bloching et al, 2000; Chen et al, 2006)

Summary

Introduction

The chemical formula of calcite that forms limestone is CaCO3 (Cotton and Wilkinson, 1988). Test has been employed on buccal epithelial cells (Sarto et al, 1987; Tolbert et al, 1992; Levine et al, 1997), The MN test, which is scientifically approved, is important in demonstrating the genotoxic effects of harmful substances on human health (Nersesyan, 2005; Nersesyan et al, 2006; Fenech et al, 2007), such as in measuring genotoxicity in petrol station employees (Çelik et al, 2003; Benites et al, 2006), agricultural workers (Pastor et al, 2001), cigarette smokers and tobacco users (Özkul et al, 1997; Besaratinia et al, 2000; Proia et al, 2006).

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Conclusion