Intensity of Oxidative Processes in Blood and Level of Apoptosis in Blood Lymphocytes in Radiologists/X-Ray Technologies Exposed to Small Doses of Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

Objective: to determine the presence of changes in peripheral blood parameters, characterizing its redox state, and the level of apoptosis of lymphocyte in radiologists/x-ray technologies who, due to their official duties, are exposed to small doses of ionizing radiation. Object and methods: The work was performed on blood samples of 45 professionals radiologists/x-ray technologies and 52 conventionally healthy individuals (control group). The content of malondialdehyde and sulfhydryl groups of proteins and peptides (-SH) in blood plasma was determined; catalase enzyme activity and the ratio of proantioxidant processes in hemolysates, the level of superoxide anion-radical (О2-•) generation, the total production of free radical compounds (reactive forms of oxygen and nitrogen) and the level of apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Results: The content of malondialdehyde in the blood of professionals was increased by 1.49 times and the content of -SH was decreased by 1.67 times compared to conventionally healthy individuals. An increase in the level of О2-• production by 1.56 times was observed for PBL. The obtained results indicate a shift in the ratio between antioxidant and pro-oxidant processes towards the latter, which is confirmed by a 1.49-fold increase of this index. The level for PBL apoptosis was reduced by 1.35 times. For professionals, against the background of increased generation of О2- •, a reliable direct correlation was observed between the indicator of apoptosis and the total production of free radical compounds, and between the latter and the level of apoptosis of lymphocytes, which was not noted for the conventionally healthy individuals group. Conclusion: A change in the ratio between pro- and antioxidant processes in the blood was found for professionals who are in contact with sources of ionizing radiation, which indicates the possibility of the development of oxidative stress, and the consequence of a reduced level of apoptosis of lymphocytes may be the danger of accumulating genetic damage in these cells. Key words: radiologists/X-ray techniques, ionizing radiation, peripheral blood, lymphocytes, indicators of oxidative metabolism, apoptosis.