The study of genetic toxicity of carbon disulfide to the exposed workers

[Objective] To detect the genetic toxicity of carbon disulfide(CS2), including DNA damage and p53 gene mutation by comet assay, polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing. [Methods] 90 workers exposed to CS2 were randomly selected as the exposure group and 81 workers not exposed to CS2 as the control group. Buccal cells of them were obtained from the subjects by scrapping the internal part of the cheek with a disinfected wood stick. The DNA damage and p53 gene mutation were detected by comet assay, polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing. [Results] The results showed that the rate of DNA tail of the exposure group was 0.51%, which was higher significantly higher than that of the control group (0.23%). Significant results were also found in non-smoking, male and low length of work groups (P < 0.05). The results of multiple non-condition logistic analysis showed that the frequency of DNA damage in the exposure group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). the results of PCR-SSCP showed that the rate of p53 gene mutation of the exposure group was 42.0%, which was higher significantly than that of the control group (18.7%). Significant result was also found in non-smoking group. The results of multiple non-condition logistic result showed that the frequency of p53 gene mutation in the exposure group was higher significantly than that of the control group (P < 0.05). However, no significant correlations were found between both length of work and sex and the rate of p53 gene mutation. The results for France showed that the frequency of gene mutation of p53 gene codon 273 was 42.9%, significantly higher than that of the control group (24.6%). The result of multiple non-condition logistic result showed that the frequency of gene mutation of p53 codon 273 in the exposure group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05), which was similar to the results of PCR-SSCP. [Conclusion] Long-term exposure to low concentration of carbon disulfide may induce DNA damage and p53 gene mutation.