Chromosome Abnormalities and Absolute Telomere Lengths of Leukocytes from Silk Weavers with Emphasis on Potential Genotoxicity and Mutagenicity of Silk Dyes

摘要

Objectives: This study is aimed to assess the possible genotoxicity and mutagenicity of silk dyes on silk weavers.Methods: Peripheral blood leukocytes were obtained from 24 silk weavers and 24 age- and sex-matched controls innortheastern Thailand. After mitogen stimulation in culture, chromosome abnormalities were examined using Giemsabanding and the absolute telomere length (aTL) was measured with SYBR green qRT-PCR. To confirm genotoxic andmutagenic effects of silk dyes, leukocytes from one each of healthy male and female volunteers were cultured withvarious concentrations of 3 dark red silk dyes under the presence of mitogen. Chromosome abnormalities and thetelomere length were determined as above. Results: The proportion of normal metaphase in the silk weaving workerswas significantly lower than that in controls. The frequency of chromosome aberrations was higher in the silk weaversthan in control group. Polyploidy was detected only in the silk weavers. The aTL was significantly shorter in the silkweavers than in control group (p < 0.05). When leukocytes from normal volunteers were stimulated with mitogen underthe presence of various concentrations of 3 silk dyes, suppressed the mitotic index (MI) and normal metaphase, whereasthe proportion of prophase and the incomplete chromosome forming increased significantly. All dyes induced polyploidy.Dye #CA5 induced structural changes in male leukocytes, whereas #30 induced the changes in female leukocytes.The #CA5 increased aTL of normal leukocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: All dyes, especially #CA5,have high genotoxicity and mutagenicity to induce chromosome aberrations and telomeric instability. Taken all thoseresults together, regular health checking of silk weavers who have been exposed to those dyes is critically necessaryto prevent various chemical-induced carcinogenesis.