Systematic review of the use of the lymphocyte cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay to measure DNA damage induced by exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

The effect of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to induce micronuclei (MN) measured using the lymphocytes cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay were evaluated in 34 studies according to the exposure: 20 studies in coke oven workers, 7 studies in different occupational exposures as alluminium industry workers, rubber factory workers, road construction workers, airport workers and diesel exposed workers, 6 studies on environmentaly exposed groups as police, volunteers and children. Reviewed papers indicate that the CBMN assay is a sensitive biomarker of PAHs exposure in polluted air. Reviewed studies confirmed previous conclusions, that the frequency of MN measured using the lymphocyte CBMN is not significantly affected by smoking, females are more sensitive to PAHs than males, the frequency of MN is increased with age.

Keywords: 1-Hydroxypyrene; Benzo[a]pyrene; Cytokinesis blocked micronuclei; Peripheral blood lymphocytes; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.