Concentrations of waste anesthetic gases and evaluation of DNA damage and oxidative stress in recently exposed medical personnel

Abstract

There is a few data in Brazil regarding the monitoring of occupational exposure to waste anesthetic gases and there is no national data of waste anesthetic gases determined in operating rooms (OR). This proposal has the following aims: determining the concentrations of waste anesthetic gases in the OR and evaluates oxidative DNA lesions, mutations and oxidative stress in recently exposed medical personnel. The study will be performed in the OR in the Hospital of Botucatu Medical School - UNESP and in 60 medical residents: 30 without occupational exposure and 30 residents of anesthesiology and surgery with three years of exposure to waste anesthetic gases. The concentrations of isoflurane, sevoflurane and nitrous oxide (waste anesthetic gases) will be determined in the OR using a portable infrared spectrophotometry. Venous blood samples and buccal cells will be drawn from all professionals. DNA damage will be detected by comet assay and chromosomal damage by buccal micronucleus cytome assay, and the analyses will be conducted in Brazil. Oxidative stress will be evaluated by both total antioxidant performance (TAP) and by lipid peroxidation markers as well as by oxidative proteins markers in the Antioxidants Research Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University (Boston, MA). Since our aim intends to create a new research group in our Institution with international collaboration, the data of the values of waste anesthetic gases in OR and their possible effects on oxidative stress and the genetic material will be assessed in the professionals recently exposed. This knowledge will certainly contribute to future preventive actions, adequating the concentrations of waste anesthetic gases to international standards and reducing the possible damage into the recently exposed professionals, with direct impact on public health. (AU)