Effect of Work Conditions and Work Environments on the Formation of 8-OH-dG in Nurses and Non-Nurse Female Workers

The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of job stress factors on oxidative DNA injuries among female workers. The levels of urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) were measured along with a survey on work conditions and environments. The result showed that female workers in shift work excreted increased levels of 8-OH-dG in comparison with the result of those who were engaged in part time work (P < 0.01). Moreover, the nurses who marked higher depressive scores excreted significantly increased levels of urinary 8-OH-dG than the nurses who scored lower depressive states. The result revealed a positive correlation between 8-OH-dG levels of nurses in the 35-45 age group and the individual scores of their depressive states (r = 0.32, P < 0.05). Together, it was suggested that a heavy burden of work in addition to daily domestic roles increases urinary excretion levels of 8-OH-dG.