Age-independency of AP site incision capacity in women

Women in the age range 40-59 years have a >4 fold higher risk to develop cancer as compared to women in the age range birth-39 years. This age-related increase in cancer incidence might be partially linked to reduced efficiency of the DNA repair machinery. We have investigated the abasic (AP) site incision capacity of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 23 women in the age range 27-57 years. The AP sites incision capacity was determined in relation to protein or DNA content of PBL extracts. In either case, no significant correlation was found between AP sites incision capacity and age, thus suggesting that no decline occurs in the age range investigated.