Micronucleus assay on buccal cells: an indicator of DNA damage due to formaldehyde exposure in anatomy dissection labs
Keywords:
Formaldehyde, Buccal cells, Micronucleus, Anatomy labAbstract
Background: The occupational exposure to formaldehyde (FA) can lead to various hazards ranging from allergic reactions to genetic damage. Workers of Anatomy lab are at a higher risk of having the hazardous effects of FA. Micronuclei (MN) appear in the cells due to chromosome breakage and dysfunction of the mitotic apparatus which are the indicators for the DNA damage. The present study was carried out to detect the DNA damage in people exposed to FA using buccal cell MN Assay by measuring the MN frequency in buccal cells with respect to the duration of exposure.
Methods: Thirty male workers of Anatomy labs of different medial colleges in Bangalore were included in the study. Thirty people with no FA exposure were considered as comparison group. Buccal cells were scraped from the cheek and slides were prepared. A total of 1000 cells were counted for the presence of MN after staining with Geimsa solution.
Results: There was a significant increase in the frequency of MN in both buccal cells (p<0.001). A positive correlation was found between the years of exposure and frequency of MN in buccal cells (r=0.5, p=0.03).
Conclusion: This study highlights that there is a significant DNA damage in people exposed to formaldehyde which is proportional to the duration of exposure.
References
Zhang L, Steinmaus C, Eastmond DA, Xin XK, Smith MT. Formaldehyde exposure and leukemia: A new meta-analysis and potential mechanisms. Mutat Res 2009;681:150-68.
Roto P, Sala E. Occupational Laryngitis Caused by Formaldehyde: A Case Report. Am J Ind Med 1996 Mar;29(3):275-7.
Taskinen HK, Kyyro¨nen P, Sallme´n M, Virtanen SV, Liukkonen TA, Huida O et al. Reduced Fertility Among Female Wood Workers Exposed to Formaldehyde. Am J Ind Med 1999;36:206-12.
Takahashi S, Tsuji K, Fujii K, Okazaki F, Takigawa T, OhtsukaA et al. Prospective study of clinical symptoms and skin test reactions in medical students exposed to formaldehyde gas. J Dermatol 2007;34:283-9.
Fenech M. The in vitro micronucleus technique. Mutat Res 2000;455:81-95.
Wunnapuk K, Ruangyuttikarn W, Anusri Y and Prapamontol T. Increase In Epithelial Buccal Cell Micronuclei In Students Exposed To Embalming Solution Vapour. Chiang Mai Med J 2008;47(3):115-23.
Viegas S, Ladeira C, Nunes C, Malta-Vacas J, Gomes M, Brito M et al. Genotoxic effects in occupational exposure to formaldehyde: A study in anatomy and pathology laboratories and formaldehyde-resins production. J Occup Med Toxicol 2010 Aug20;5(1):25.
Gabriel HE, Crott JW, Ghandour H, et al. Chronic cigarette smoking is associated with diminished folate status, altered folate form distribution, and increased genetic damage in the buccal mucosa of healthy adults. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83:835-41.
Stick HF and Rosin MP. Quantitating the synergistic effect of smoking and alcohol consumption with the micronucleus test on human buccal mucosa cells. Int J Cancer 2006;31(3):305-8.
Pastor S, Gutierrez S, Creus A, Xamena N, Piperakis S and Marcos R. Cytogenetic analysis of Greek farmers using the micronucleus assay in peripheral lymphocytes and buccal cells. Mutagenesis 2001;16(6):539-45.
