Genomic Instability in Human Lymphocytes from Male Users of Crack Cocaine

Thiago Aley Brites de Freitas, Roberta Passos Palazzo, Fabiana Michelsen De Andrade, César Luis Reichert, Flávio Pechansky, Félix Kessler, Caroline Brunetto De Farias, Gisele Gomes De Andrade, Sandra Leistner-Segal and Sharbel Weidner Maluf
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Thiago Aley Brites de Freitas: Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil
Roberta Passos Palazzo: Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil
Fabiana Michelsen De Andrade: Health Science Institute, Feevale University, RS 239, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93352-000, Brazil
César Luis Reichert: Health Science Institute, Feevale University, RS 239, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93352-000, Brazil
Flávio Pechansky: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil
Félix Kessler: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil
Caroline Brunetto De Farias: Laboratório de Pesquisas em Câncer, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil
Gisele Gomes De Andrade: Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil
Sandra Leistner-Segal: Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil
Sharbel Weidner Maluf: Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 10, 1-13

Abstract: Recent research suggests that crack cocaine use alters systemic biochemical markers, like oxidative damage and inflammation markers, but very few studies have assessed the potential effects of crack cocaine at the cellular level. We assessed genome instability by means of the comet assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus technique in crack cocaine users at the time of admission to a rehabilitation clinic and at two times after the beginning of withdrawal. Thirty one active users of crack cocaine and forty control subjects were evaluated. Comparison between controls and crack cocaine users at the first analysis showed significant differences in the rates of DNA damage ( p = 0.037). The frequency of micronuclei (MN) ( p < 0.001) and nuclear buds (NBUDs) ( p < 0.001) was increased, but not the frequency of nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) ( p = 0.089). DNA damage decreased only after the end of treatment ( p < 0.001). Micronuclei frequency did not decrease after treatment, and nuclear buds increased substantially. The results of this study reveal the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of crack cocaine use in human lymphocytes and pave the way for further research on cellular responses and the possible consequences of DNA damage, such as induction of irreversible neurological disease and cancer.

Keywords: crack cocaine; drug withdrawal; DNA damage; comet assay; micronucleus (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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