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Chromosome aberrations and urinary thioethers in smokers
B Sinués1, M Izquierdo, J Perez Viguera
1Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Zaragoza, Spain.
Mutation Research
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Smokers exhibit increased chromosome aberrations and urinary thioethers compared to non-smokers. While both indicate smoking exposure, chromosome aberration analysis is a more reliable biomonitoring method due to individual thioether variations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cigarette smoking is a significant source of exposure to various toxic compounds.
- Biomonitoring methods are crucial for assessing internal exposure to these toxins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cytogenetic tests (chromosome aberrations) with urinary thioether levels for internal dosimetry in smokers.
- To evaluate the relationship between chromosome aberrations and urinary thioether excretion as biomarkers of smoking exposure.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of chromosome aberrations (chromosome- and chromatid-type) in 94 individuals (41 non-smokers, 53 smokers).
- Determination of urinary thioether concentration in the same individuals.
- Statistical analysis including linear regression to assess the relationship between the two biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Smokers showed a significantly higher frequency of chromosome aberrations (p < 0.0001) compared to non-smokers.
- Smokers also exhibited significantly higher urinary thioether excretion (p < 0.0001) than non-smokers.
- Linear regression analysis did not reveal a statistically significant correlation between chromosome aberrations and urinary thioether levels.
Conclusions:
- Both chromosome aberrations and urinary thioethers serve as indicators of smoking exposure.
- Urinary thioether levels show significant inter-individual variability, making them less precise for biomonitoring.
- Analysis of chromosome aberrations appears to be a more accurate and reliable method for biomonitoring smoking exposure.