Abstract
BACKGROUND: Current radiation protection standards are based on premise that any radiation dose may result in detrimental health effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate extent of the DNA damages (measured by induction of micronuclei) and interphase cell death in circulating lymphocytes of medical personnel exposed to ionizing radiation. METHODS: Baseline micronuclei were assessed using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus test. Cytotoxicity was analyzed by flow cytometry for human white blood cells to identify cells that displayed apoptosis-associated DNA condensation. Necrotic cells were analyzed simultaneously. All parameters were compared with corresponding controls. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (t = 4.54, p = 0.002) was found between exposed and control group in the yield of baseline micronuclei. The level of baseline micronuclei correlated positively with necrosis of leucocytes (r=0.09, p=0.68 in exposed group, r=0.02, p=0.97 in controls). An inverse correlation between baseline micronuclei and apoptosis was noted in both groups of examinees (r = -0.26, p = 0.27 in exposed group, r = -0.09, p=0.80 in controls). The data obtained also suggested an inverse correlation between necrosis and apoptosis (r = -0.37, p = 0.11 in exposed group, r = -0.89, p = 0.001 in controls). CONCLUSION: Flow cytometry being a rapid, fast, and accurate method is strongly recommended in evaluation of radiation injuries. The integration of apoptosis and necrosis into micronucleus assay could be very important in the assessment of cumulative effects of ionizing radiation in occupationally exposed medical personnel.
Highlights
Current radiation protection standards are based on premise that any radiation dose may result in detrimental health effects
In this paper we presented the results of lymphocyte micronuclei, necrosis, and apoptosis of leukocytes on the medical personnel occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation and the corresponding controls
Micronuclei findings and measurement of apoptosis and necrosis in exposed group are presented on Table 1, in control group on Table 2
Summary
Current radiation protection standards are based on premise that any radiation dose may result in detrimental health effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate extent of the DNA damages (measured by induction of micronuclei) and interphase cell death in circulating lymphocytes of medical personnel exposed to ionizing radiation. The level of baseline micronuclei correlated positively with necrosis of leucocytes (r=0.09, p=0.68 in exposed group, r=0.02, p=0.97 in controls). The data obtained suggested an inverse correlation between necrosis and apoptosis (r = -0.37, p = 0.11 in exposed group, r = -0.89, p = 0.001 in controls). The integration of apoptosis and necrosis into micronucleus assay could be very important in the assessment of cumulative effects of ionizing radiation in occupationally exposed medical personnel.
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