Authors: S Sardas S Izdes E Ozcagli O Kanbak E Kadioglu
Publish Date: 2006/05/19
Volume: 80, Issue: 2, Pages: 154-159
Abstract
Objectives Although the genotoxicity related to waste anaesthetic gases is controversial a consistent number of observations have provided evidence for an increased level of DNA strand breaks The goal of the research was to investigate this hypothesis and estimate the genoprotective role of antioxidant supplementation in technical anaesthesiology staff working in operating theatres Methods Heparinized venous blood samples were collected from 17 exposed technical anaesthesiology staff mean age 343 ± 35 years and nonexposed control group mean age 322 ± 34 years and examined in the alkaline comet assay for DNA strand breakage Vitamin E 300 mg/day plus vitamin C 500 mg/day were supplemented to the technical anaesthesiology staff for 12 weeks and blood samples were retaken and evaluated by comet assay Results The DNA breakage observed in the lymphocytes of the technical anaesthesiology staff was 215 ± 50 as calculated by total comet score TCS This score was significantly higher P 0001 than in the controls 86 ± 47 before antioxidant treatment Supplementation of vitamins E plus C significantly P 001 reduced the mean TCS as 142 ± 61 Conclusion The results of our study indicate that occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases induces oxidative DNA damage Supplementation of the diet for 12 weeks with vitamin C and vitamin E resulted in a significant decrease in the DNA damage
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