Resumo

MATHEUS LOBO, Tibisay  e  BOLANOS, Alba. Micronucleus: genotoxicity biomarker in exposed to pesticides. Salus [online]. 2014, vol.18, n.2, pp.18-26. ISSN 1316-7138.

Pesticides use has allowed effective control of pests worldwide, increasing agricultural, forestry and livestock productivity. However, many of these chemicals pose potential risks to human health and it can cause alterations in the genetic material, and the possible development of some types of tumors. Consequently, it has become necessary to search for methods to quantify the degree of instability that these products can produce in the genetic material, including the micronucleus (MN) test. This is based on the detection and quantification of cytoplasmic bodies similar to the cell nucleus, whose origin is derived from chromosomes or fragments that are not integrated to the core during metaphase, which could occur spontaneously or by the action of genotoxic agents. The purpose of this article is to present a review of 33 publications in the period 2000-2013 worldwide in individuals exposed to pesticides, of which 16 used the test in cultured lymphocytes in the blood, 13 in buccal epithelial cells, and 4 in both techniques. Even, when there are discrepancies among the authors regarding the frequency of MN and various factors, this test is a monitoring tool that provides fast results and high sensitivity for detecting DNA damage and, thus, been able to take action for the control of genetic risks associated with exposure to toxic agents such as pesticides..

Palavras-chave : Micronucleus; genotoxicity; biomarker; pesticide.

        · resumo em Espanhol     · texto em Espanhol     · Espanhol ( pdf )