Association of glutathion S-transferase and chromosomal aberrations as a means to determine occupational exposure

Abstract

It has been reported that exposure of radiotherapy workers to ionizing radiation causes chromosomal damages. Some of the damaged cells show a large number of chromosome aberrations such as dicentrics, rings and numerous acentric fragments. The influence of glutathione S-transferase (GST) on the rate and frequency of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 50 medical radiotherapy workers handling X-ray machines for more than 5 years (mean period 12 years), and 43 control individuals were subjected to our study. GST activity in serum was estimated by the improved Habig method, and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in blood lymphocytes was evaluated by a conventional Trypsin G-banding technique. The present study showed that dicentrics, acentrics, followed by ring chromosomes and of total chromosomal aberrations, and GST activity were significantly higher among the radiotherapy workers when compared to controls ( P=0.04). Increased GST concentration and chromosomal damages were correlated in the present study. Despite the limited number of blood samples, the results seem to indicate an association between chromosomal aberration and GST activity although it needs more data in this part of Iran to confirm our conclusion.