Genetic polymorphisms in metabolizing enzymes and susceptibility of chromosomal damage induced by vinyl chloride monomer in a Chinese worker population.

Objective: To evaluate whether polymorphisms in metabolizing enzymes contributed to susceptibility of chromosomal damage induced by vinyl chloride monomer (VCM).

Methods: Cytokinesis block micronucleus test was performed on 185 VCM-exposed workers and 41 control subjects to detect chromosomal damage in peripheral lymphocytes. The polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism technique was applied to detect polymorphisms of GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1G/A, CYP2E1G/C, and CYP2D6G/C. Poisson regression analysis was performed.

Results: Sex, age, VCM exposure, GSTP1, and CYP2E1 genotype can influence chromosomal damage. There was a 1.51-fold increased micronucleus frequency for GSTP1GG genotypes individuals compared with those GSTP1AA/GA genotype individuals (P < 0.05), the effect of polymorphism in CYP2E1 gene was more pronounced for allele C compared with allele G (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Polymorphisms of GSTP1G/A and CYP2E1G/C, which are potential susceptibility biomarkers of chromosomal damage in VCM-exposed worker.