Evaluation of DNA damage in flight personnel by Comet assay.
Mutat Res
; 516(1-2): 148-52, 2002 Apr 26.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11943620
ABSTRACT
There have been some suggestions that air-crew are at a higher-than-normal risk of developing cancer, since they are exposed to potential genotoxic factors. These include cosmic radiations, airborne pollutants such as the combustion products of jet propulsion, ozone, and electromagnetic fields. We used the Comet assay to investigate DNA damage in flight personnel with the aim of assessing potential health hazards in this occupational category. We studied 40 civil air-crew members who had been flying long-haul routes for at least 5 years, and compared them with a homogeneous control group of 40 healthy male ground staff. The Comet assay, or single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), detects DNA single- and double-strand breaks (DSBs) and alkali-labile lesions in individual cells, and is a powerful and sensitive technique for detecting genetic damage induced by different genotoxic agents. Taking into consideration occupational risk and possible confounding factors, this assay showed a small increase, that did not reach statistical significance, of DNA damage in long-haul crew members compared to controls, indicating a lack of evident genotoxic effects. An association, although again not statistically significant, was found between reduced DNA damage and use of protective drugs (antioxidants).
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Aviação
/
Dano ao DNA
/
DNA
/
Linfócitos
/
Monitoramento de Radiação
/
Radiação Cósmica
/
Nêutrons
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Evaluation_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mutat Res
Ano de publicação:
2002
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália