OBJECTIVETo study the effects of indium exposure on the relative content of mitochondrial ND1 gene in lymphocytes.

METHODSVenous blood was obtained from 14 healthy workers and anticoagulated with heparin. Blood lymphocytes were separated and divided into three tube cultures. For two tubes in the exposed group, indium chloride was added to final concentrations of 0.2 mmol/L and 0.8 mmol/L, respectively. For one tube in the control group, an equal volume of normal saline solution was added. After incubation for 72 h, the relative content of mitochondrial gene in each group was determined using quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTSLymphocytes exposed to 0.8 mmol/L indium chloride had a significantly higher relative content of mitochondrial gene than those exposed to 0.2 mmol/L indium chloride and those in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLymphocytes exposed to a high concentration of indium and its compounds have an elevated relative content of mitochondrial ND1 gene, indicating increased oxidative DNA damage induced by exposure to a high concentration of indium and its compounds.