TY - JOUR T1 - Polymorphism in GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes influence DNA damage in personnel occupationally exposed to volatile anaesthetics (VA), from Peshawar, Pakistan JF - Occupational and Environmental Medicine JO - Occup Environ Med DO - 10.1136/oemed-2020-106561 SP - oemed-2020-106561 AU - Muhammad Khisroon AU - Maleeha Humayun AU - Ajmal Khan AU - Javeed Farooqi AU - Humayun AU - Jamal khan Y1 - 2020/07/21 UR - http://oem.bmj.com/content/early/2020/07/27/oemed-2020-106561.abstract N2 - Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the influence of antioxidant gene GSTM1 and GSTT1 on DNA damage in personnel occupationally exposed to volatile anaesthetics (VA).Methods The study groups were composed of 50 exposed subjects (anaesthesia workers) and 49 controls. Blood samples were collected from both subjects. DNA damage was analysed through the comet assay technique. Biomarker genes GSTM1 and GSTT1 were inspected through PCR technique for polymorphism.Results The comet assay technique showed that the Total Comet Score (TCS) in exposed subjects was significantly higher (p=0.0001) than the control. Age and smoking had significant effects on TCS in the study groups (p<0.05). Duration of occupational exposure had significant positive correlation (r=0.755, p<0.001) with DNA damage. The null polymorphism in GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene showed a significant effect (p<0.001 and p<0.000) on the DNA damage.Conclusions The polymorphism in GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene significantly damage DNA in personnel occupationally exposed to VA. ER -