Evaluation of DNA damage in workers occupationally exposed to pesticides using single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay - Pesticide genotoxicity revealed by comet assay

The comet assay, also called the single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) ass ay, is a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of DNA damage (strand breaks and alkali-labile sites) in individual cells. The assay is based on the embedding of cells in agarose, their lysis in alkaline buffer and fina lly subjection to an electric current. In the present study, alkaline SCGE was used to evaluate the extent of primary DNA damage and DNA repair in per ipheral blood lymphocytes of workers employed in pesticide production. Afte r the period of high pesticide exposure, lymphocytes of the occupationally exposed workers manifested increased tail length and tail moment compared t o the control group. After the workers spent 6 months out of the pesticide exposure zone, both endpoints were still above that of the control but sign ificantly decreased as compared to the results of the first analysis. (C) 2 000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.