Association Between Lifestyle and Genotoxicity in Undergraduate Subjects in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background of Study: Genotoxicity describes the characteristic of chemical substances known as

genotoxins that harm the genetic material inside a cell, resulting in mutations that may predispose to

cancer.

Methods: This research utilized a cross sectional study design aimed at determining possible association

between lifestyle factors and genotoxicity of undergraduate subjects in Benin City. One hundred and

ninety five (195) subjects, involving one hundred and fifty (150) undergraduates as study subjects and

forty-five (45) intending students as control participated. Questionnaires were used for data collection

while a wooden spatula was used to obtain buccal epithelial cells for micronuclei investigation. The

presence of micronuclei (MN) was assessed under light microscopy and a total of 200 cells per sample

were scored.

Results: The results showed that there was no significant statistical difference (p>0.05) between the mean

micronuclei (Mni) cells counts of the non-cigarette smokers and former smokers; However, the average

Mni count for Shisha smokers was statistically significantly lower than non-shisha smokers. The average

Mni count between alcohol consumers and non-consumers was not statistically significant. The mean

micronuclei (Mni) count per 200 cells was (5.56±1.30) in undergraduate compared to intending students

(3.72±1.39), the mean Mni in age group ? 20yrs was 4.32±1.39 while the average Mni for ? 20yrs of age

was (2.82±1.29) with each of these groups being statistically significant (p-values =0.02).

Conclusion: There is a clear correlation between lifestyle factors and genotoxicity in undergraduate

subjects in this study as observed from the increase in buccal cell micronucleus.