Determination of Anti-Bpde-DNA Adducts in Pah-Exposed Humans using the HPLC/Fluorescence Technique

In the present study, HPLC/fluorescence was applied to determine anti (+/-)-r-7,t-8-dihydroxy-t-9, 10-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (anti-BPDE)-DNA adducts formed in lymphocytes plus monocytes (LMF) from humans exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Subjects were: 10 psoriatic patients (3 days after clinical coal tar (CT) treatment), 15 coke oven workers, 19 chimney sweeps, 35 aluminum anode plant workers, and 10 control subjects. Chronic and high PAH exposure in coke oven workers significantly increased the levels of BPDE-DNA adducts and the highest levels were seen in samples from smokers. Skin-acute (or short-term) and high PAH exposure of psoriatic patients do not increase DNA adduct levels. Determination of anti-BPDE-DNA adducts by means of this method is very promising for its sensitivity, specificity and simplicity and it may be applied in DNA adduct measurements to assesss high chronic PAH exposure and that it is thus suitable for industrial health purposes.