Influence of GSTM1 and NAT2 genotypes on the relationship between personalexposure to PAH and biomarkers of internal dose

This study examined the interaction of glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1) an d N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) genotypes and personal exposure to carcinogeni c polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) with biomarkers of exposure in a c ohort of 51 non smoking women from Bohemia, CZ. The biomarkers included uri nary PAH metabolities and white blood cell DNA adducts. Personal PAH exposu re was significantly correlated with urinary PAH metabolites for all indivi duals (r=0.36, p=0.01, n=46). After stratifying by genetic polymorphism the correlation between personal PAH exposure and urinary PAH metabolites incr eased for individuals with NAT2 slow acetylators (r=0.58, p=0.001, n=29) an d the combination of GSTM1 null and NAT2 slow acetylators (r=0.60, p=0.01, n=16). DNA adduct levels were not significantly correlated with personal PA H exposure (r=0.16, p=0.32, n=51), unless restricted to individuals with th e GSTM1 gene (r=0.59, p=0.005, n=21). Personal exposure data were essential for elucidating the possible effect of genotypes on the relationship betwe en PAH exposure and these two classes of internal biomarkers. [This abstrac t does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.]