Comparison of micronuclei frequencies in mono-, bi- and poly-nucleated lymphocytes from subjects of a residential suburb and subjects living near a metallurgical plant.

Spontaneous baseline frequencies of micronuclei in mono-, bi- and poly-nucleated lymphocytes were analyzed, using the cytokinesis-block technique, in 103 subjects living in a residential suburb (Genova-Nervi), and in 203 subjects living in an urban industrialized area near a metallurgical plant and a coke factory (Genova-Cornigliano). Statistical analysis showed that the average frequency of micronucleated binucleated lymphocytes (MnBNL) was significantly higher (1.42-fold) in donors of Nervi than in donors of Cornigliano living in a contaminated environment.

Long-term influence of dialysis treatment on beta 2-microglobulin, interleukin-2 R and tumour necrosis factor.

Recently much interest has been focused on the phenomena produced by the interaction between blood and dialytic membranes. The aim of this study was to evaluate beta 2-M, Il-2 and TNF changes in relation to the long-term use of different membranes (CU, PAN-AN69, PMMA, PS) and different dialytic treatments (HD, HDF, AFB). Plasma beta 2-M was significantly increased in patients dialysed with CU compared to synthetic membranes, and decreased in AFB compared to HD and HDF.