| Popis: |
Exposome encompass the totality of human environmental exposures, providing a lifelong exposure history and complementing the genome. One of its domains is a specific external environment, which includes occupational exposure. Over the last decades, several publications have shown the higher incidences of exposure-related diseases and its relationship with DNA damage. However, there is a body of evidence that genetic variants cannot fully explain the variability in the risk of chronic diseases initiation and development, leaving a potential role the interaction between environmental and genetic factors. A key phenomenon are epigenetic modifications, heritable changes in gene expression that occur without changes in DNA sequence and play an important role in identifying mechanisms of xenobiotic-induced non-genotoxic carcinogenesis. Recently studies with occupational exposure individuals have shown substantial epigenetic alterations as effect of work-related activity with several xenobiotics, such as benzene, solvent, styrene, heavy metals, and mixtures of chemicals. Exposure to occupational toxicants may contribute to arising of adverse birth outcomes, neurological and other multifactorial diseases, and increased risk of cancer, and there is evidence that epigenetic aspects intermediate their effects in human health. In the current chapter, we review recently discoveries in the field of occupational exposure, health effects, and the interaction of epigenetic factors for such outcomes. The solid identification of key genetic and/or epigenetic events involved in chemical occupational-related carcinogenesis is a relevant step towards improvement of biomarkers to evaluate exposure, predict biological effects, and prevent adverse health consequences. |
