Molecular Analysis of CYP1A1 Gene Polymorphisms among Thermal Power Plant Workers in Thi-Qar, Iraq: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: The industry, including electricity, plays the main part in civilised societies and through it, the development of the society can be evaluated in our current time. And it is also the backbone of the economy and the principal component in stabilising the countries to save their security and independence.  Purpose: This study examined CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms among thermal power plant workers in Thi-Qar, Iraq, exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and electromagnetic fields (EMF). Methods: A total of 100 samples were collected: 50 samples from workers who were exposed to occupational hazards directly in thermal power plants and 50 samples from apparently healthy people with no occupational exposure history to these materials. All blood samples were used for the extraction of genomic DNA, and then the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to amplify the CYP1A1 gene in all samples.  Results: Ala/Ala was reported in 74% of workers and 94% of controls, while Ala/Val was observed in 24% and 6%, respectively. The Ala/Val genotype was significantly more frequent among workers than controls (OR = 5.08, 95% CI: 1.33–19.33). The Val/Val genotype was observed in 2% of workers and was not detected in controls (OR = 3.80, 95% CI: 0.15–95.98). Among workers, the ORs for Ala/Val according to employment duration, residence, and educational level were 2.35, 0.61, and 0.90, respectively. For Val/Val, the corresponding ORs were 3.51, 0.60, and 7.86. However, these subgroup associations were not statistically significant. Implications: CYP1A1 genotype frequencies differed between thermal power plant workers and healthy controls, particularly for the Ala/Val genotype. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and clarify their potential implications for occupational exposure.