Effects of X-rays and cigarette smoking on leukocyte, lymphocyte and mitotic index values and SCE rates: the relationship between mitotic index and lymphocyte count

Abstract

Many previous studies revealed that smoking increases leukocyte and lymphocyte counts while exposure to X-rays decreases these counts. However the relationships between lymphocyte life span and smoking as well as X-rays were not well documented. The primary aim of this study was to determine relationships between smoking X-rays (in combination and individually) and life span of lymphocytes. Blood samples from 200 healthy individuals, half of which were X-ray exposed individuals, were collected. Half of X-ray exposed and of non-X-ray exposed individuals were smokers. There were equal numbers of male and female participants. Two lymphocyte cultures, one for the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) analysis and the other for the determination of mitotic index values were prepared using one part of the blood samples collected from the individuals. From the other part of the blood sample leukocyte and lymphocyte counts were determined with a haemogram device. Evaluation of the findings suggested that leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, mitotic index were relatively lower for the X-ray exposed individuals. In addition these values were higher for smokers than nonsmokers in general. The highest SCE rates were recorded for smoking radiology technicians. The most important finding is that lymphocyte life span is relatively low in smokers and in X-ray exposed males.

The evaluation of long-term effects of ionizing radiation through measurement of current sister chromatid exchange (SCE) rates in radiology technologists, compared with previous SCE values

“…The frequency of chromosome aberrations serves as the most reliable biological exposure marker in case of acute accidental radiation [26]. Radiology technologists are occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation for a long time [15], as is the case in the present study (Table 1). Hence, they can suffer from various adverse effects of radiation as a result of their long professional life.…”

“…Because of these risks, governments have made improvements in working conditions of radiology technologists (e.g., shorter working hours, longer vacations and special clothing). Nonetheless, these people are under serious risk due to the sensitivity of the genome for radiation [15]. Structural chromosomal damage in response to DNA breaks by physical environmental mutagens such as ionizing radiation results in immediate formation of free radicals [18].…”

“…It is a strong physical mutagen and clastogenic agent, causing the breakage of phosphodiester bonds in DNA at any stage of the mitotic cycle or during meiosis [14][15][16]. Ionizing radiation may have acute or delayed effects.…”

Assessment of DNA damage using chromosomal aberrations assay in lymphocytes of waterpipe smokers

“…Even occupational exposure to cigarette smoke has been demonstrated to increase the CAs frequency [33]. Cigarette smoking has also been shown to induce DNA damage using other genotoxic assays such as micronuclei [34], sister chromatid exchanges [20,35] and oxidative DNA damage [35] in the peripheral lymphocytes of smokers. The current results manifesting that cigarette smoking significantly increases the levels of CAs confirmed the previous findings and indicated the general genotoxic effects of tobacco smoking.…”

Evaluation of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes Proliferation in Botteng Village, Mamuju Inhabitants Using Binucleate Index

“…Radiation exposure can stop the mitosis mechanism at various phases and causes cell death. Radiation can cause a delay in the cell cycle at G1, S and G2 phases of the interphase [16,17]. It is well known that DNA damaging agents can induce a cell cycle arrest and thus a longer time for repair is needed to protect the organism from the deleterious consequences of mutations.…”