engleski

Comparison of two genotoxicity tests in study of exposure to anaesthetics

Genotoxic activity of anaesthetics in peripheral blood lymphocytes of operating room personnel have been investigated. Fifty medical workers (anaesthesiologists, technitians and nurses), who have been chronically exposed to low doses of nitrous oxide and/or halothane were tested using cytochalasine B blocked micronucleus test and the single cell alkaline gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay). Control group of fifty healthy nonexposed subjects who were matched for age, sex and smoking habit has been selected among clarks and students. Comet assay showed significant increase of DNA damage in exposed subjects. Age, sex, smoking and duration of exposure did not show to influence the results. On the other hand, a significant increase in the incidence of micronuclei in exposed subjects was in positive correlation with sex and age, and negative correlation with smoking and duration of exposure. These findings suggest that combination of the two used assays proved as a good indicator of exposure to anaesthetics.

anaesthetics; occupational exposure; comet assay; cytochalasin B-blocked micronucleus test

nije evidentirano