Air pollution by carcinogenic PAHs and plasma levels of p53 and p21 super(WAF1) proteins

• Published in: Mutation Research-Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 2007-07, Vol.620 (1-2), p.34-40
• Main Authors: Rossner, P, Binkova, B, Milcova, A, Solansky, I, Zidzik, J, Lyubomirova, K D, Farmer, P B, Sram, R J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1386-1964; 0027-5107
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2007.02.020

We analyzed the effect of exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) in ambient air on the plasma levels of p53 and p21 super(WAF1) proteins among city policemen, bus drivers and controls in three European cities: Prague (Czech Republic), Kosice (Slovakia) and Sofia (Bulgaria). p53 and p21 super(WAF1) proteins are key regulators of the cell cycle and are accepted as universal markers of genotoxic stress and DNA damage. In total 204 exposed subjects (100 smokers, 104 nonsmokers) and 152 controls (54 smokers, 98 nonsmokers) were analyzed. Personal exposure to c-PAHs was evaluated using personal samplers during the working shift. The levels of p53 and p21 super(WAF1) proteins were assessed by ELISA assay. There were no differences between the levels of either protein between exposed and controls, or smokers and nonsmokers, in any city. However, we observed significant differences in p53 plasma levels in all subjects regardless of the exposure status between the individual cities (median values: 5, 31, 234pg/ml, p