Messenger RNA expression and genetic polymorphisms of cell cycle control genes and chromosomal aberrations in Chinese vinyl chloride monomer-exposed workers.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expressions of p53, p21, and CCND1 in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)-exposed workers and potential relationships with their exposures, polymorphisms, and chromosomal aberrations. METHODS: The study was performed on 77 occupationally VCM-exposed workers and 43 unexposed controls. The quantities of mRNA expression of p53, p21, and CCND1 genes were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: p53 mRNA expression of VCM-low- and high-exposure groups was significantly lower than that of nonexposed group (P < 0.001), but p21 mRNA expression of the two VCM-exposed groups was significantly higher than that of the nonexposed group (P < 0.001). This study did not find the relationship between chromosomal aberrations, genotypes, and the expression of p53, p21, and CCND1. CONCLUSIONS: Messenger RNA expressions of p53 and p21 are changed with VCM-exposure status.