OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of migration and oxidative DNA damage by 
comparative study of oxidative DNA damage effects on people with different years 
of migration among Xinjiang Hasake ethnicity in Shenzhen.
METHODS: Sixty Hasake residents in Shenzhen were selected, and were divided into 
three groups (n=20) according to the years of migration. Major changes of their 
life style were investigated. 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) levels in 
urine were analyzed, and comet assay of peripheral blood lymphocytes conducted.
RESULTS: When comparing with the group having a shorter than 1 year of stay,a 
significant decrease of oliveira tail moment and tail/head length in comet assay 
in the >3 years group (P < 0.05) was observed 8-OH-dG level decreased 
significantly in 1-3 years group (P < 0.05) and >3 years group (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that life style changes which related to 
migration might reduce DNA damage in Hasake nationalities.