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The role of genetic polymorphisms for inducing genotoxicity in workers occupationally exposed to benzene: a systematic review

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Abstract

Benzene is used worldwide as a major raw material in a number of industrial processes and also a potent airborne pollutant emitted from traffic exhaust fume. The present systematic review aimed to identify potential associations between genetic polymorphisms and occupational benzene-induced genotoxicity. For this purpose, a total of 22 selected studies were carefully analysed. Our results revealed a positive relation between gene polymorphism and genotoxicity in individuals exposed to benzene, since 17 studies (out of 22) observed positive relations between genotoxicity and polymorphisms in xenobiotics metabolizing genes influencing, therefore, individuals’ susceptibility to genomic damage induced by benzene. In other words, individuals with some genotypes may show increase or decrease DNA damage and/or higher or lower DNA-repair potential. As for the quality assessment, 17 studies (out of 22) were categorized as Strong or Moderate and, therefore, we consider our findings to be trustworthy. Taken together, such findings are consistent with the notion that benzene induces genotoxicity in mammalian cells being strongly dependent on the genetic polymorphism. Certainly, such findings are important for clarifying the role of biomarkers related to genotoxicity in human biomonitoring studies.

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Funding

The authors acknowledge research grants received from CNPq (Conselho Nacional de DesenvolvimentoCientífico e Tecnológico, Grant Number #001) for productivity fellowship.

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  1. Department of Biosciences, Institute of Health and Society, Federal University of São Paulo, UNIFESP, Rua Silva Jardim, 136, Room 332, Vila Mathias, Santos, SP, 11050-020, Brazil

    Thiago Guedes Pinto, Thayza Aires Dias, Ana Claudia Muniz Renno, Milena de Barros Viana & Daniel Araki Ribeiro

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  1. Thiago Guedes Pinto
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  2. Thayza Aires Dias
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  3. Ana Claudia Muniz Renno
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  4. Milena de Barros Viana
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Contributions

Study design: TGP and DAR. Data search: TGP and DAR. Data analysis: TGP, TAD and DAR. Writing the paper: TGP, TAD, ACMR, MBV and DAR.

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Correspondence to Daniel Araki Ribeiro.

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Guedes Pinto, T., Dias, T.A., Renno, A.C.M. et al. The role of genetic polymorphisms for inducing genotoxicity in workers occupationally exposed to benzene: a systematic review. Arch Toxicol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-024-03744-z

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