Increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in peripheral lymphocytes of radiology technicians chronically exposed to low levels of ionizing radiations

Abstract

Chromosome aberrations (CAs) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) frequencies were estimated in peripheral lymphocytes from 21 radiology technicians, and from 21 nonexposed control subjects. We exclusively considered individuals who neither smoke nor consume drugs or alcohol for a period of at least two years prior to the analysis. Significant differences were found between exposed and controls in terms of SCEs and CAs frequencies. Technicians showed a significant higher number of high-frequency individuals (HFIs) with respect to the control group. Nevertheless, the mean frequency of SCEs observed among technician HFIs did not significantly differ with respect to that observed among control HFIs. Vice versa, the nonHFIs belonging to technicians group showed a statistically higher difference in the SCEs/NSM value with respect to the non-HFIs belonging to control group. Since the differences in the SCEs frequencies between the two groups are due to non-HFIs, our results seem to indicate a general genotoxic effect of the IR, not affected by HFIs. Among technicians, the level of chromosome damage correlated neither with years of radiation exposure nor with the age of the subjects. Vice versa, in the control group, a positive correlation was found between the number of SCEs and age. In both samples the gender status did not influence the frequencies of CAs and SCEs. Our results suggest that chronic long-term exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation could increase the CAs and SCEs frequencies. This study reinforces the relevance of the biomonitoring of hospital workers chronically exposed to ionizing radiation.

Cytogenetic evaluation of cataract patients occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation in northeast China

“…Numerical chromosome abnormality was significantly lower in the exposed patients as compared with that in the non-exposed patients. These results were consistent with previous studies (Jha and Sharma, 1991;Cardoso et al, 2001;Santovito et al, 2014).…”

“…Chronic long-term exposure to low doses of IR could increase chromosomal aberrations in hospital workers (Santovito et al, 2014). The cumulative effects of low-level chronic IR exposure are higher for those occupationally exposed to IR (Saberi et al, 2013).…”

Sperm quality and DNA damage in men from Jilin Province, China, who are occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation

“…Computed-tomography scans are to blame for most of the rise (Abbott, 2015). Some studies reinforce the relevance of the biomonitoring of hospital workers who are chronically exposed to ionizing radiation (Santovito et al, 2014). Chromosomal damage leading to the formation of micronucleated lymphocytes is more frequent in hospital workers who are exposed to ionizing radiation (Bouraoui et al, 2013).…”

“…Chronic long-term exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation could increase chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchange frequencies (Cardoso et al, 2001;Santovito et al, 2014).…”

Effect of lentinan on membrane-bound protein expression in splenic lymphocytes under chronic low-dose radiation

“…With the development of technology and the wide use of electronic appliance, a growing number of people are exposed to radiation, so radiation hazard has become a serious problem and a major health threat worldwide [1,2]. It has been increasingly realized that radiation can cause injuries to multiple organs, especially in those who work in nuclear medicine, nuclear industry etc., resulting in immunodeficiency, tumors, aging and hematologic diseases [3][4][5].…”