Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between UGT1A7 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chromosomal damage among polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)-exposed workers.
Methods: Blood and urine samples of 140 PAH-exposed workers and 66 non-PAH-exposed workers were collected. The polymorphisms of UGT1A7, cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) and 1-hydroxypyrene were analyzed.
Results: UGT1A7 codon 208 Arg carriers exhibited significantly higher CBMN frequencies than did the Trp/Trp (P < 0.05). Stratification analysis revealed that the significant association between CBMN frequencies and the polymorphisms of UGT1A7 Asn129Lys, Arg131Lys, and Trp208Arg was most pronounced. Moreover, higher CBMN frequencies were found among subjects with *3 allele than those with *1 allele (P = 0.008) in younger PAH-exposed workers.
Conclusion: Polymorphisms of UGT1A7 gene may alter the severity of PAH-induced chromosomal damage among the exposed workers.