Genomic Instability in Human Lymphocytes from Male Users of Crack Cocaine

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Thiago Aley Brites de Freitas²  Roberta Passos Palazzo²  Fabiana Michelsen de Andrade¹  César Luis Reichert¹  Flávio Pechansky⁴  Félix Kessler⁴  Caroline Brunetto de Farias³  Gisele Gomes de Andrade²  Sandra Leistner-Segal² 

[1] Health Science Institute, Feevale University, RS 239, Novo Hamburgo, RS 93352-000, Brazil; E-Mails:;Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil; E-Mails:;Laboratório de Pesquisas em Câncer, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil; E-Mail:;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; E-Mails:

关键词: crack cocaine;    drug withdrawal;    DNA damage;    comet assay;    micronucleus;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph111010003

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.