Effects of Occupational Exposure to Heavy Metals on Oxidative DNA Damage in Some Artisans in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effects of occupational exposure to heavy metals on oxidative DNA damage in some artisans in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Automobile workshops, welding workshops, and painting workshops, located in Mile 3 mechanic garage, Elekahia and Rumuagholu mechanic garage, between June 2023 and January 2024. Methodology: A total of 100 subjects were recruited for this study based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria’s. The exposed group was made up of three different types of artisans (mechanics, welders, and painters) with a total of 75 exposed individuals, each group comprised of 25 artisans each, while the non-exposed (control) group were 25 individuals who were mainly students and office workers. All the participants for the study were asked to fast for 8 hours after which 10 ml of venous blood samples were collected into plain sample bottles. Separate serum samples were used to assay 8-OHDG, total superoxide dismutase, cardiac troponin I, total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad prism version 9.0. and p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results of 8-OHDG, cardiac troponin-I, total superoxide dismutase, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the mechanics, welders, and painters, while there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in total antioxidant capacity in the painters and welders. Conclusion: In conclusion, according to this study, the exposure to heavy metals is capable of causing DNA damage because of DNA oxidation by reactive oxygen species generated by heavy metals.