mRNA expression levels among cell regulatory and DNA damage genes in benzene-exposed workers in China

Objective We investigated how cells respond to the induction of DNA damage, focusing specifically on mRNA expression levels of cell regulatory and DNA repair genes under exposure to benzene. Method The study sample was classified into three groups: direct exposure to benzene (A), indirect exposure to benzene (B), and non-exposed (C). Concentrations of benzene in the air of workplaces were monitored. Further blood biochemical parameters, cell cycle-regulated and DNA damage-related genes expression were analyzed. Results The mRNA expression levels of Apel, Rad51, Bcl-2, Bax, Xpa, and Xpc genes were significantly down-regulated in groups A and B, with a dramatic up-regulation of p21 gene in group A accompanied by significantly lower counts of white blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets and lymphocyte subsets of CD8+, CD4+, T and B cells. Conclusion The results indicated that exposure to benzene had significantly altered mRNA expression of some critical cell regulatory and DNA repair genes.