MICRONUCLEI KINETICS OF EXFOLIATED UROTHELIAL CELLS

Micronuclei observed in exfoliated cells result from DNA-damage of bas al epithelium's cells by mutagens. Exfoliated urothelial cells can be collected by non-invasive procedure and may be used as target site to identify genotoxic effects of chemicals. Kinetic studies are important for any biomarker, especially those in which tissue differentiation a nd maturation processes will heavily influence the time between induct ion of damage and collection of damaged cells for analysis. This manus cript details the result of a longitudinal study of micronuclei induct ion in cells isolated from urine samples of 4 healthy women over 6 con secutive days. Three of them were former smokers. Results suggested th at micronucleated cell rates were not influenced neither by the day no r by the time of sampling.