OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) and DNA genetic damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of coke oven workers and the role of Hsp72 in protection of cells from genetic damage induced by coke oven emissions.

METHODSTwo hundred and sixty-seven coke oven workers and thirty controls without occupational PAHs exposure were investigated. Benzo[a]pyrene concentrations in the ambient air individually collected were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Western Blot was used to measure Hsp72 levels and Comet assay was used to evaluate DNA damage degree. Personal information was collected by questionnaire.

RESULTSThe Hsp72 level (G+/-S(G)) and olive comet tail moment (G+/-S(G) of peripheral blood lymphocytes in high-exposure workers (1.24 +/- 0.42 and 4.49 +/- 1.24) were significantly higher than those in low-exposure workers (1.01 +/- 0.35 and 2.99 +/- 1.10, P < 0.05) and control (0.85 +/- 0.34 and 2.40 +/- 1.00, P < 0.05) respectively. The Hsp72 median level of all subjects was used as the limit to divide subjects into high Hsp72 level group and low Hsp72 level group. The rate with high Hsp72 level was 36.7%, 43.1% and 58.3% in control, low exposure and high exposure workers respectively and had a rising tendency following exposure level (P = 0.003). In high Hsp72 level group Hsp72 level in high exposure workers was significantly higher than that in control (P < 0.05), and there was a rising tendency along with the increase of exposed levels. But the olive comet tail moment had no significant difference among three exposed groups (P > 0.05). In low Hsp72 level group there no difference among three exposed groups about Hsp72 levels. The olive comet tail moment in high exposure workers was significantly higher than that in low exposure workers and control (P < 0.01) and high exposure workers in Hsp72 positive group and there was a rising tendency along with the increase of exposed levels. Hsp72 levels had strong negative correlation with the olive comet tail moment (r = -0.503, P < 0.01) in high exposure workers.

CONCLUSIONThe coke oven emissions can induce hsp72 expression. Hsp72 play a role of protecting cells from DNA damage induced by coke oven emissions.