Context: Steel is crucial to the development of any modern economy and is considered to be the backbone of human civilization. Occupational exposure to steel dust might result in adverse health effects. This study aims to investigate the possible association of detoxifying gene polymorphisms with cytogenetic damage in steel industry workers. Methods: 150 steel industry workers and 146 control subjects with no history of occupational exposure to steel dust or any other chemical were recruited for the study. Cytogenetic damage was evaluated using the simple and reliable procedures like analysis of the chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in peripheral blood lymphocytes of male steel industrial workers. Analysis of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms was done by multiplex PCR method. Results: The results showed an increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the steel industry workers compared to the control subjects. A statistically significant increased frequency of total chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges was observed in GSTM1null genotype of the steel industry workers. The results clearly establish the association of null GSTM1 gene polymorphisms with cytogenetic damage in steel industry workers. However, we observed no statistically significant differences in the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotype frequencies in both exposed and control groups. Conclusion: Cytogenetic analysis showed that occupational exposure to steel dust significantly increased chromosomal aberration and sister chromatid exchange frequencies. The study also presented evidence for the association of GSTM1null genotype with cytogenetic damage indicating the influence of GSTM1 polymorphisms on these biomarkers.
