Evaluation of genotoxicity and oxidative damage in painters exposed to low levels of toluene

Publication date: 4 July 2012 Source:Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, Volume 746, Issue 1 Author(s): Angela M. Moro , Natália Brucker , Mariele Charão , Rachel Bulcão , Fernando Freitas , Marília Baierle , Sabrina Nascimento , Juliana Valentini , Carina Cassini , Mirian Salvador , Rafael Linden , Flávia Thiesen , Andréia Buffon , Rafael Moresco , Solange C. Garcia Toluene is an organic solvent used in numerous processes and products, including industrial paints. Toluene neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity are well recognized; however, its genotoxicity is still under discussion, and toluene is not classified as a carcinogenic solvent. Using the comet assay and the micronucleus test for detection of possible genotoxic effects of toluene, we monitored industrial painters from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The putative involvement of oxidative stress in genetic damage and the influences of age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exposure time were also assessed. Although all biomarkers of toluene exposure were below the biological exposure limits, painters presented significantly higher DNA damage (comet assay) than the control group; however, in the micronucleus assay, no significant difference was observed. Painters also showed alterations in hepatic enzymes and albumin levels, as well as oxidative damage, suggesting the involvement of oxidative stress. According to multiple linear regression analysis, blood toluene le...
Source: Mutation Research Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research