Objective: To explore the relationship between DNA damage induced by vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and polymorphisms of metabolizing enzymes of VCM.
Methods: Comet assay was employed to detect DNA damage, the workers were divided into two groups based on the status of DNA damage. Case-control design was used to investigate the relationship between the genetic polymorphisms of metabolizing enzymes and DNA damage. Genotypes of CYP2E1 c1/c2 and mEH4 His139Arg were identified by the PCR-RFLP, null genotypes of GST T1 and GST M1 were detected by PCR.
Results: The genotypes of CYP2E1 c1c2 and c2c2 were significantly associated with DNA damages (P < 0.01). A prominent risk increasing of DNA damage was observed for those individuals having a high or low VCM exposure and possessing the CYP2E1 c1c2 and c2c2 genotypes (OR 4.92, 95% CI 1.35-13.85 and OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.01-6.59).
Conclusion: Cumulative exposure dose and polymorphism of metabolizing enzymes may modulate the DNA damage of VCM-exposed workers. possessing the CYP2E1 c1c2 and c2c2 genotypes (OR 4.92, 95% CI 1.35-13.85 and OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.01-6.59).
Conclusion: Cumulative exposure dose and polymorphism of metabolizing enzymes may modulate the DNA damage of VCM-exposed workers.