Pooja Chadha

Evaluation of oxidative stress and genotoxicity in battery manufacturing workers occupationally exposed to lead

Battery manufacturing workers are occupationally exposed to lead (Pb), which is a highly toxic heavy metal. The aim of this study was to investigate the blood lead levels (BLL) of 30 battery manufacturing workers and find the correlation between BLL, micronucleated cell (MNC) frequency, binucleated cell (BNC) frequency in buccal mucosal cells and malondialdehyde concentrations in serum. 30 subjects of the BMW group, exposed to lead, and 30 control subjects, matched with the exposed subjects with respect to age, socio-economic status, sex, diet, smoking and drinking habits, were monitored for this study. BLL was found to have highly significant difference between both the groups ( P < 0.001). The serum MDA levels were observed at significantly higher levels (6.76 ± 3.26) for the exposed group as compared to the control group (2.10 ± 1.02; P < 0.001). Buccal micronucleus test showed that both MNC and BNC frequencies were higher among the workers, in comparison to the control subjects. A positive correlation has been found between BLL and all the parameters. Our results indicate an increased health associated risk for workers occupationally exposed to lead.

Textile industry and occupational cancer

Background and summaryThousands of workers are engaged in textile industry worldwide. Textile industry involves the use of different kinds of dyes which are known to possess carcinogenic properties. Solvents used in these industries are also associated with different health related hazards including cancer. In previous studies on textile and iron industries, the authors have reported genotoxicity among them and observed occurrence of cancer deaths among textile industry workers. Thus, an attempt has been made to compile the studies on the prevalence of different types of cancers among textile industry workers.Literature searchA wide literature search has been done for compiling the present paper. Papers on cancer occurrence among textile industry workers have been taken from 1976 to 2015. A variety of textile dyes and solvents, many of them being carcinogenic, are being used worldwide in the textile industry. The textile industry workers are therefore, in continuous exposure to these dyes, solvents, fibre dusts and various other toxic chemicals. The present study evaluates the potential of different chemicals and physical factors to be carcinogenic agents among occupationally exposed workers by going through various available reports and researches. Papers were collected using different databases and a number of studies report the association of textile industry and different types of cancer including lung, bladder, colorectal and breast cancer. After going through the available reports, it can be concluded that workers under varied job categories in textile industries are at a higher risk of developing cancer as various chemicals used in the textile industry are toxic and can act as potential health risk in inducing cancer among them. Assessing the cancer risk at different job levels in textile industries may be found useful in assessing the overall risk to the workers and formulating the future cancer preventive strategies.

4-Nonylphenol induced DNA damage and repair in fish, Channa punctatus after subchronic exposure

Abstract The detection of a possible DNA damaging effect of 4-nonylphenol (NP) after subchronic exposure and repair after cessation of exposure to Channa punctatus is the aim of the present study. Channa punctatus was exposed to different concentrations (0.15 mg/l, 0.10 mg/l, and 0.07 mg/l) of NP along with positive control (ethanol) and negative control (water) for 90 d and after that allowed to recover for 30 d. Comet assay and micronucleus assay were used for the determination of DNA damage and repair by using blood cells. The effect was seen after 30, 60, and 90 d of exposure. Time- and dose-dependent increase in DNA damage was found as revealed by both the end points studied. Evident recovery was observed after 30 d of cessation of exposure. Blood cells were successfully appeared to achieve the restoration of DNA integrity. Hence, the study aimed to improve the knowledge of the genetic hazard to fish associated with NP exposure and provide a wide scope to discover the efficiency of DNA repair system in C. punctatus.

Studies on the Genotoxicity of Gutkha

Abstract Nowadays, smokeless tobacco consumption in the form of gutkha is receiving more popularity among the youth of India. In the present investigation, cytogenetic studies were carried out on 50 gutkha consumers and compared with controls, 50 men who did not have habit of smoking, alcohol drinking and consuming gutkha, tobacco and areca nut in any form. Frequency of chromosome aberrations (CA) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were evaluated in peripheral blood lymphocytes, whereas frequency of micronucleated cells (MNC) was evaluated in exfoliated buccal mucosa. A significant increase (p < 0.001) was noted in values of all three cytogenetic markers among gutkha consumers compared with controls viz. CA (0.92-3.60), SCE (3.66-6.84), MNC (0.09-0.98). The frequency of all end points was higher among high age group individuals (> 31) compared with low age group individuals viz CA (1.67-2.81), SCE (4.65-5.80), MNC (0.36-0.70). The increased frequency of these end points was found to be significantly correlated (p <.001) with duration of consumption (b = 0.193, 0.039, 0.032 for CA, SCE and MNC respectively) and number of pouches consumed per day (b being 0.193, 0.441, 0.429 for CA, SCE and MNC respectively). Besides this, significant difference was found between the mean values of CA and SCE among gutkha consumers and gutkha consumers + drinkers + smokers and also significant increase was found between gutkha consumers + smokers and gutkha consumers + drinkers + smokers for CA.

Biodegradation of 4-aminobenzenesulfonate by indigenous isolate Shinella yambaruensis SA1 and its validation by genotoxic analysis

Shinella yambaruensis SA1, an indigenous strain, was isolated from sludge of wastewater treatment plant. The isolate SA1 efficiently degraded 0.58 mM of 4-aminobenzenesulfonate (4-ABS) after 6 h incubation and utilized it as a sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy under aerobic conditions. The isolate SA1 retained its potential to degrade 4-ABS when grown in medium supplemented upto 3% (w/v) NaCl. The LC/MS based analysis of degradation products and assay of ring opening enzymes indicated that 4-ABS was degraded via ortho cleavage pathway. The efficiency of 4-ABS biodegradation was evaluated by scoring chromosomal aberrations in mice which showed 53% reduction in the genotoxicity of biologically treated samples as compared to pure 4-ABS. Thus, SA1 could be a potential isolate for developing sequential anoxic-aerobic system for achieving mineralization of polar aromatic amine intermediates generated after breakdown of textile dyes.

Assessment of DNA damage as an index of genetic toxicity in welding microenvironments among iron-based industries:

Welding is used extensively in different industries. Welders are always at a risk of exposure to a number of gases and metal-containing fumes in their respective microenvironments in which they work. Welding fumes consist of a wide range of complex metal oxide particles which can deposit in different parts of their bodies causing serious health problems. In the present study, 35 welders (age: 33.80 ± 1.04 years) from two iron-based industries have been assessed for DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes using single-cell gel electrophoresis. An equal number of subjects (N = 35; age: 30.40 ± 1.51 years) matched to exposed subjects with respect to sex, age, socioeconomic status, smoking, and alcoholic habits were taken as controls. The results revealed that the damaged cell frequency (DCF) and mean comet tail length (CTL) in welders were significantly higher as compared to the controls (DCF: 69.74 ± 1.68 vs. 31.14 ± 1.67 and CTL: 29.21 ± 1.48 vs. 1.47 ± 0.08; p < 0.05). The effect of confounding factors such as age, duration of exposure, smoking, and drinking habits was also studied. Blood lead levels also showed a positive correlation with duration of exposure and CTL, and the overall results indicated an increased genetic damage as an index of genotoxicity in workers occupationally engaged in welding microenvironments.

Schizophyllum commune induced genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in Spodoptera litura

In search for ecofriendly alternatives to chemical insecticides the present study was conducted to assess the insecticidal potential of an endophytic fungus Schizophyllum commune and its mechanism of toxicity by studying genotoxic and cytotoxic effects as well as repair potential using Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) as a model. Different endophytic fungi were isolated and tested for their insecticidal potential against S. litura. Among the tested endophytic fungi maximum mortality against S. litura was exhibited by S. commune isolated from Aloe vera. Extended development, reduced adult emergence was observed in larvae fed on diet supplemented with fungal extract. In addition to it the fungus also has propensity to increase oxidative stress which leads to significantly higher DNA damage. The significantly lower frequency of living haemocytes and increased frequency of apoptotic and necrotic cells was also observed in larvae treated with fungal extract. The extent of recovery of damage caused by fungus was found to be very low indicating long term effect of treatment. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various phenolics, terpenoids and protein in fungal extract. Biosafety analysis indicated the non toxic nature of extract. This is the first report showing the insecticidal potential of S. commune and the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects associated with it.

Evaluation of Genotoxic and Cytotoxic effects of ethyl acetate extract of Aspergillus flavus on Spodoptera litura

Recent concerns about the possible adverse effects of agricultural chemicals on health and environment have generated a considerable interest in biological alternatives. This study aimed to test the insecticidal potential of fungus Aspergillus flavus and revealed its genotoxic and cytotoxic effects using Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) as a model.

Tetrabromobisphenol A induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in fish Channa punctatus

Abstract Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is the most widely used brominated flame retardant and its increased use in common products such as plastics, electronic equipment, etc., has raised concern about its ecotoxicity. The present study was conducted to investigate the oxidative stress and genotoxic potential of TBBPA on fresh water fish Channa punctatus by measuring malondialdehyde level and DNA damage, respectively. Fish were exposed to 5.09 mg/l (1/2 of LC50) of TBBPA along with positive (acetone) and negative controls (water) for 96 h. The blood samples were collected at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post exposure. The results of the study showed significantly increased oxidative stress and DNA damage in the exposed groups as compared to controls. The effect of duration is also found to be significant. The findings of the study would be helpful in risk assessment of TBBPA-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity among aquatic organisms.

Risk Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Pesticides among Pesticide Distributors of Punjab (India) Using Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis

Abstract Punjab being the major state of India that utilizes pesticides comprises different populations, which are directly or indirectly exposed to the pesticides, mainly the pesticides manufacturers, formulators and distributors. Amongst these pesticide distributors are least affected considered despite their continuous exposure to them. The present study was undertaken to investigate the occurrence of genotoxic effects in pesticide distributors from three cities in Punjab. The methods used included Comet Assay to assess DNA damage. The results showed that a significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage was found. An increasing trend in genetic damage was observed between the workers with increasing years of exposure as revealed by an ANOVA test. Similarly, the effect of other confounding factors such as age, diet and alcohol drinking habits were also studied. Conclusively, the use of protective measures and other safety regulations is emphasized among the pesticide distributors to prevent further exposure to this group.