Investigation of susceptible gas station workers to neurological disorders based on evidence of catechol -O- methyltransferase (COMT) gene expression alters

The most dangerous compounds of gasoline are carcinogenic aromatics like benzene and toluene.Aromatic compounds in gasoline can be a mimic neurotransmitter function with the aromatic ring, such as a catechol ring and it interferes in the role of neurotransmitters.Workers who are working in gasoline stations have the highest potential for being exposure to gasoline.COMT catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to one of the two hydroxyl groups of catecholic compounds, including L-dopa, catechol estrogens, endogenous and exogenous catecholamines as well as their hydroxylated metabolites.This study examine the changes in catechol O-methyl transferees gene expression in people working at the gas station in the city of the Tehran with regard to the determination of harmful gasoline vapors on health and the existence of Aromatic compounds in gasoline.It has been selected 30 workers who have worked at least 5 years in the crowded gas station.Total RNA were extracted from peripheral blood white blood cells of 30 healthy volunteers and 30 workers and then the cDNA was synthesized.This process was followed by Real-time PCR using primer pairs specific for catechol-o methyl transfrase mRNA and beta-actin as internal control.As a result the relative expression catechol-o-methyl transfrase has shown a significant increase (p=0.001) in PBMC of gas station attendants.The results indicate that overexpression of catechol -O -methyltransferase in the target group.Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and other catecholamines neurotransmitter are catabolized by catechol -O -methyltransferase.Dopamine is associated in mental disorder such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorder, attention deficit /hyperactivity syndrome, restless legs syndrome and Parkinson.It can be concluded that people who work at gas stations is likely higher suffer from such disorders than normal situation.