AROMATIC DNA-ADDUCTS, MICRONUCLEI AND GENETIC-POLYMORPHISM FOR CYO1A1AND GST1 IN CHIMNEY SWEEPS

Aromatic DNA adducts in total white blood cells, cytochrome P450 (CYP) class 1A1 and glutathione transferase (GST1) class mu genotypes and m icronuclei in T- and B-lymphocytes were studied in 69 full-time chimne y sweeps and 35 controls, all male subjects. The sweeps had a higher ( 22%) but statistically non-significant increase in the level of DNA ad ducts as compared to the controls when all individuals independent of genotype were compared. The non-inducible CYP1A1 genotype, m1/m1, lack ing a MspI restriction site at the 3' end of the gene, was associated with significantly higher adduct levels in the sweeps. Among the 26 sw eeps with the combined genotype m1/m1 and GST1(-), a statistically sig nificant 60% increase in median adduct levels was observed as compared with those 14 control subjects with the corresponding genotype. Smoki ng also showed a significant effect on the level of adducts. The effec t on DNA adducts by sweeping, smoking and genotype appeared to be addi tive and independent of each other. DNA adducts in sweeps were moderat ely but statistically significantly correlated with micronuclei in bot h T- and B-lymphocytes. The correlation between adduct levels and micr onuclei was most marked in T-lymphocytes of individuals lacking the GS T1 gene.