[mRNA expression levels of p53 and DNA damage and repair genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes of benzene-exposed workers].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the mRNA expression levels of p53-mediating DNA damage and repair genes in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers and their exposures to benzene in their working environment.

Methods: The mRNA expression levels of p53 and related genes were determined by SYBR Green I chimeric fluorescence quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 72 workers, who were classified into group A (46 direct exposure to benzene) and group B (26 indirect exposure to benzene) based on their positions, and 29 controls. The differences of gene expression levels were analyzed by software REST 2005.