Assessment of Genomic Instability in Operating Room Staff Using Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus Assay

Topaloğlu F. N., Çobanoğlu H.

Hospital Pharmacology, vol.12, no.1, pp.1565-1572, 2025 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Journal Name: Hospital Pharmacology
  • Page Numbers: pp.1565-1572
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

SUMMARY

Introduction: Anesthetic gases are the main pollutants in operating rooms (OR). Aim: In this study, we explored the genomic instability and nuclear division index (NDI) in OR staff with prolonged exposure to low doses of waste anesthetic gases (WAGs).

Material and Methods: Study groups were: total 40 participants, 20 were OR staff (comprising 17 anesthesia technicians and three nurses from OR), while 20 that were not exposed to WAGs were assigned as control. The cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay (CBMN) was applied to assess genomic instability. Indicators of genomic instability were micronucleus (MN), nuclear bud (NBUD), and nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB). NDI was used as indicator of cell kinetic.

Results: The MN and NBUD average frequencies were significantly elevated in the operating room staff when compared to the respective controls (p<0.001, p<0.005). On the other hand, NPB and NDI showed no significant differences in both groups (p>0.05). Among the OR staff, a positive association in terms of correlation (r=0.57, p<0.01) is reported between age and MN frequency. Similarly, total years of service and MN frequency (r=0.47, p<0.05) were correlated. No differences in gender of operating room employees were found in MN, NPB, and NBUD frequencies (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our results present no significant impact of WAG exposure on cell kinetics but significantly increased the frequency of MN and NBUD.