Abstract 39: Exposure to heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and DNA damage in Taiwanese traffic conductors.

Abstract

Introduction: Exposure to traffic-related air pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals, has been associated with the etiology and prognosis of many illnesses. However, the specific causal agents and underlying mechanisms for different health outcomes remain unclear. The aims of this study were to assess the relations between urinary biomarkers of exposure to PAHs (1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide, 1-OHPG) and heavy metals (cadmium, Cd; nickel, Ni; arsenic, As; lead, Pb; copper, Cu) and their interaction effect on DNA damage (8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-guanine, 8-oxodG).

Methods: We recruited 91 traffic conductors and 53 indoor office workers between May 2009 and June 2011 in Taipei, Taiwan. Post-shift urine samples from 2 consecutive days were analyzed for 1-OHPG, Cd, Ni, As, Pb, Cu and 8-oxodG. To estimate the effects from PAHs and metals on DNA damage, we constructed a linear mixed model adjusted for confounding variables.

Results: We found that urinary 1-OHPG and Cd levels were independent predictors of urinary 8-oxodG levels (β=0.112, p=0.015 for 1-OHPG; β=0.138, p=0.031 for urinary Cd). The joint effect of urinary 1-OHPG and Cd levels was associated with urinary 8-oxodG levels (p=0.001).

Conclusions: Co-exposure to environmental PAHs and Cd could cause oxidative DNA damage. These findings suggest that the additive interaction between exposure to environmental PAHs and Cd could enhance the burden of oxidative stress.

Citation Format: Han-Bin Huang, Guan-Wen Chen, Chien-Jen Wang, Yong-Yang Lin, Saou-Hsing Liou, Ching-Huang Lai, Shu-Li Wang. Exposure to heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and DNA damage in Taiwanese traffic conductors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Post-GWAS Horizons in Molecular Epidemiology: Digging Deeper into the Environment; 2012 Nov 11-14; Hollywood, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(11 Suppl):Abstract nr 39.