Correlation between urinary concentrations of malondialdehyde and DNA damage in people exposed to mercury

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the extent of DNA damage is correlated with the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in urine of individuals occupationally exposed and unexposed to mercury

Methods: We evaluated 64 medical records (32 reference group and 32 exposed group, they were matched byage, smoke and alcohol consumption). For analysis, comet assay data (olive tail moment, % DNA in the tail and tail length), levels of urinary MDA  and urinary mercury were taken.  We compared the concentrations of MDA and the changes in the comet assay between the groups and the correlation between these variables.

Results: MDA concentrations were higher in exposed than in referents (median 1.28 vs 0.51μmol/L, respectively) and further damage to the comet assay (mean of tail % DNA: 27.37 vs. 0.31, median of Olivetail moment 8.29 vs olive 0.056; median of tail length 35 vs. 3.0, respectively).However there was a poor correlation between urinary MDA and genetic damage(r<0.11).

Conclusion: No evidence was obtainedwith higher concentrations of MDA in urine provide additional genetic damage, but there was more DNA damage and higher concentrations of MDA in individuals occupationally exposed to mercury.