Abstract LB-402: Chromosomal aberrations in 5-year olds and urinary PAH metabolites
Authors: Orjuela Manuela A. , Liu Xinhua , Miller Rachel , Tang Deliang , Cujar Claudia P. , Suen Ida Hui , Siebert Aisha L. , Hoepner Lori , Warburton Dorothy , Perera Federica 
Published: February 2011

Chromosomal aberrations (CAs) measured in cord blood are associated with maternal exposure to air Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in newborns from the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH). We hypothesize that naphthalene, a PAH not measureable in air levels and an IARC classified potential carcinogen, might be associated with chromosomal aberrations. Now in 90 five yr olds from this cohort we examined the association between stable CAs (including translocations) scored using whole chromosome painting Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization in chromosomes 1-6, 11,12,14,19 in peripheral blood, and specific gravity adjusted 1OH and 2OH naphthalene (1OHnaph and 2OHnaph) metabolites measured in simultaneously collected urine, using an automated liquid-liquid extraction and quantified by gas chromatography/isotope dilution high-resolution mass spectrometry. Dominican American (DA) 5 yr olds (n=50) had higher specific 2OHnaph levels (mean: 12535.9 ng/m3; SD: 22227.6) than African American (AA) 5 yr olds (n=40)(mean: 4239.2 SD: 3397.0),(Wilcoxon test, p=0.02) consistent with differences previously seen in the entire CCCEH cohort. Bivariate correlations between frequencies of CAs and 1OHnaph and 2OHnaph stratified by sex or ethnic group suggested an ethnic disparity in the association between CAs and naphthalenes. Negative binomial models were used to examine whether this association was dependent on ethnicity, controlling for sex. 1OHnaph increased total stable CAs frequency in chromosomes 1-6 (r=0.24, p= 0.03), though this increase was only in DA (r=0.47, p=0.0006), not AA (r=0.09). Controlling for sex, the ethnic disparity in the association differs significantly (p=0.006). Frequency of translocations (a subgroup of stable CAs) also increased with increasing levels of 1OHNaph (r=0.20;p=0.07), particularly in DA(r=0.36; p=0.01), not in AA (r=0.07; p=0.0.6);controlling for sex, the ethnic disparity in association was significant (p&lt;0.05). 2OHnaph was unrelated to the frequency of total stable CAs. Frequency of translocations seemed to increase with 2OHnaph (r 0.19;p=0.07) and was significant after controlling for sex and/or ethnicity (p&lt;0.01). Increasing translocation frequency with increasing 2OHnaph was more apparent in DA (r=0.40; p&lt;0.005) than AA (r=0.07; p=0.7), but the ethnic difference in association was not significant (p=0.1). 1OHnaph and 2OHnaph did not effect CAs in chromosomes 11,12,14,19. Metabolites of naphthalene are associated with stable CAs including translocations in chromosomes 1-6. Sources of naphthalene may vary with cultural practices and off-label uses can contribute to elevated indoor air levels, surpassing those from outdoor pollutants. Our data suggest there are ethnic differences in both exposure to naphthalenes and response to this exposure, and have potential implications for prevention. The cohort is being followed to determine persistence of CAs.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-402.