Cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay parameters in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the general population: Contribution of age, sex, seasonal variations and lifestyle factors

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 148; pp. 561 - 570
• Main Authors: Gajski, Goran, Gerić, Marko, Oreščanin, Višnja, Garaj-Vrhovac, Vera
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.02.2018
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; alcohol drinking; Apoptosis; at-risk population; biomarkers; body mass index; Croatia; Cytogenetic monitoring; cytogenetics; Cytokinesis; Cytome assay; DNA Damage; environmental monitoring; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Female; General population; Genome instability; Health Status; Humans; Life Style; lifestyle; lymphocytes; Lymphocytes - ultrastructure; Male; meteorological parameters; Micronucleus Tests - methods; Middle Aged; necrosis; neoplasms; normal values; Peripheral blood lymphocytes; physical activity; Population Surveillance; Retrospective Studies; seasonal variation; Seasons; Sex Factors; Genome instability; Cytogenetic monitoring; General population; Peripheral blood lymphocytes; Cytome assay
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.11.003

The cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN Cyt) assay was used to evaluate the baseline frequency of cytogenetic damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the general population (average age, 38.28 ± 12.83 years) in relation to age, sex, body mass index, seasonal variations (season of sampling, period of sampling and different meteorological parameters) and lifestyle factors (smoking habit, alcohol consumption, exposure to medications and diagnostic radiation, physical activity, and family history of cancer). The background frequency of micronuclei (MNi) for the 200 subjects assayed was 5.06 ± 3.11 per 1000 binucleated cells, while the mean frequency of nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) was 1.21 ± 1.46 and of nuclear buds (NBUDs) 3.48 ± 2.14. The background frequency of apoptosis and necrosis was 1.58 ± 1.50 and 1.39 ± 1.56, respectively, while the mean nuclear division index (NDI) was 1.99 ± 0.14. The cut-off value, which corresponds to the 95th percentile of the distribution of 200 individual values, was 11 MNi, 4 NPBs and 7 NBUDs. The study also confirmed an association of the above mentioned parameters with age, sex and several lifestyle factors. Moreover, significant confounders based on our results are also sampling season, sampling period and different meteorological parameters that were dependent on the CBMN Cyt assay parameters. In line with the above mentioned, several factors should be taken into account when it comes to the monitoring of exposed populations using cytogenetic biomarkers. Moreover, the normal and cut-off values obtained in this study present background data for the general population, and can later serve as baseline values for further biomonitoring studies. •Background frequency of cytogenetic damage in healthy population was assessed.•This was done using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay.•Results present background data that could be considered as normal values.•Association with age, sex and several lifestyle factors was found.•Significant confounders are also seasonal variations and meteorological parameters.