Epigenic modifications associated with low benzene exposure

ABSTRACT. E PIGENIC MODIFICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWBENZENE EXPOSURE . DNA methylation, mitochondrial DNA copynumber and telomeres shortening are cellular modificationsassociated with an increasing number of tumors, cardiovascularand aging diseases. In our studies these modifications wereevaluated in subjects occupationally exposed to low levels of benzene and in the general population. In peripheral bloodlymphocytes a decrease of DNA methylation with the increase of personal benzene exposure was found, both in Alu and LINE-1 repetitive elements, and in the global DNA.Telomere length shortening in subjects exposed to trafficexhausts and an increase in mitochondrial DNA copy numbercorrelated to benzene exposure was also found. DNAmethylation measured in specimen repeats collected at intervalsof 8 years decreased more markedly in exposed subjects than in controls. Our studies highlighted the association of epigeneticmodifications of DNA with low benzene exposure.Key words: benzene, DNA methylation, mitocondrial DNAcopy number, telomere shortening.