Variation of platelet mtDNA D-loop region in patients with chronic benzene poisoning

Objective This study was aimed to detect the variation of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)D-loop region of platelet in patients with chronic benzene poisoning(CBP), and to analyze their association with the pathogenesis of CBP.

Methods A total of 35 newly diagnosed patients with CBP and 35 references (participants in health examination) were studied. Through extracting mtDNA, the D-loop region was amplified and the sequences of PCR products were detected by sequencing methods. Then the sequencing results were compared with the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence(rCRS) and MITOMAP database. Finally the genetic variation in these two groups was compared.

Results Compared with the reference group, the mutation OR value of platelet mitochondrial gene CA 514 d locus in patients with CBP was 5.740 (95%CI:1.906-17.282, P < 0.01) among 7 mutation sites in the D-loop region.

Conclusion High frequency of variation in the mtDNA D-loop may be associated with the pathogenesis of CBP.