Genotoxic, cytotoxic, oxidative and neuro-immune-endocrine monitoring in professionals exposed to waste anesthetic gases during medical residency

Abstract

Considering the relevance and originality of this topic, the current study will monitor the genotoxic, cytotoxic, oxidative and neuro-immune-endocrine effects in young professionals occupationally exposed to the most widely used waste anesthetic gases during the medical residency program. The follow-up study will enroll medical residents who will work in operating rooms and will be occupationally exposed to trace concentrations of isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane and nitrous oxide at the "Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - UNESP". Biological samples will be collected before the medical residency program (no exposure; the physicians will be their own controls) and after six months in a period of three years, with a total of six samplings/subject. Basal and oxidative DNA damage will be detected by the comet assay, cell viability/death and mitochondrial dysfunction will be detected by flow cytometry, and a several of oxidative stress markers (in nucleic acids, lipids and proteins, besides antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant performance) will be evaluated by different methods (chromatography, immunoassay and fluorometry). The neuro-immune-endocrine response will be evaluated by adenocorticotrophic, cortisol and prolactine hormones, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, liver enzymes, and blood count. In addition, the expression of many genes involved in important DNA damage/repair, inflammation and oxidative stress pathways will be detected by qPCR. Therefore, this study will contribute for an important occupational issue in anesthesiology field by better understanding the possible toxic and mechanisms by which the occupational exposure to inhalational anesthetics can lead to young professionals at the beginning of their careers. (AU)