Impact of nicotine-induced green tobacco sickness on DNA damage and the relation with symptoms and alterations of redox status in tobacco farmers

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 206; p. 111397
• Main Authors: Alves, Jodel, Da Silva, Fernanda R., Kahl, Vivian, Reyes, Juliana, Lima, Elisiane, Abreu, Marina B., Thiesen, Flávia V., dos Santos, Denise Leal, Salvador, Mirian, dos Santos Branco, Cátia, Nersesyan, Armen, Knasmuller, Siegfried, Da Silva, Juliana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 15.12.2020
• Subjects: Adult; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - chemically induced; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - genetics; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - metabolism; Brazil; Case-Control Studies; Cotinine - blood; DNA Damage; Farmers; Female; Genomic Instability - drug effects; Genotoxicity; Green tobacco sickness (GTS); Humans; Male; Nicotiana - growth & development; Nicotiana - metabolism; Nicotine - metabolism; Nicotine - toxicity; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Oxidative Stress - genetics; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances - analysis; Tobacco farmers; Young Adult; Brazil; Oxidative stress; Tobacco farmers; Green tobacco sickness (GTS); Genotoxicity
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111397

During the harvest period, tobacco workers are exposed to nicotine and it is known that absorption of the alkaloid via the leaves causes green tobacco sickness (GST). We investigated if GST and its symptoms are associated with DNA damage and alterations of the redox status. DNA damage was measured in lymphocytes of tobacco workers and controls (n = 40/group) in single cell gel electrophoresis assays. Exposure to nicotine was determined by plasma cotinine measurements, alterations of the redox status by quantification of the total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The symptoms of GTS included nausea, abdominal cramps, headache, vomiting and dizziness, and 50% of the workers had more than one symptom. Cotinine levels were enhanced in the workers (111 ng/mL); furthermore, the extent of DNA damage was ca. 3-fold higher than in the controls. This effect was more pronounced in participants with GST compared to healthy nicotine exposed workers and increased in individuals with specific symptoms (range 22–36%). TBARS levels did not differ between workers and unexposed controls, while TEAC values were even increased (by 14.3%). Contact with nicotine present in tobacco leaves causes GTS and leads to damage of the DNA; this effect is more pronounced in workers with GTS symptoms and is associated with alterations of the redox status. Damage of the genetic material which was found in the workers may lead to adverse long-term effects that are caused by genomic instability such as cancer and accelerated ageing. •Genotoxicity in tobacco farmers exposed to nicotine.•Symptoms of green tobacco sickness and relation with DNA damage.•Nicotine in the tobacco leaves have induced alterations of redox status.