Sister Chromatid Exchanges and Chromosome Aberration Frequencies in Plutonium Workers

Abstract

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from controls and from a small population of plutonium workers with internal plutonium depositions, cumulative chronic external irradiation, and occupational exposure to single or multiple chemicals, were analysed for the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and chromosome aberrations. SCE are sensitive to some chemical mutagens, while chromosome aberrations are induced by moderate to high doses of ionizing radiation, and therefore these different cytogenetic end-points are complementary. We analysed the frequency data from workers grouped by internal systemic burdens of plutonium (less than 148, 148-740 and greater than 740 Bq) and to those exposed to five chemicals in the workplace: perchloroethylene, beryllium, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, and trichloroethylene. A significant increase in chromosome aberrations compared with the control frequency was observed only in cells of workers with greater than 740 Bq of internalized plutonium. Based on prior studies, the lack of a dose-response indicator from internal plutonium was not unexpected because of the small sample and the low frequency of aberrations induced at the lower plutonium burdens. There were no significant increases in the SCE mean frequencies when analysed by estimated internal plutonium or from exposure to any of the chemicals.

Protective effect of curcumin on γ-radiation-induced sister chromatid exchanges in human blood lymphocytes

“…This study confirmed the ability of γ-radiation to increase the incidence of SCEs in exposed human lymphocytes, as reported previously in many other investigations that obtained significant SCE increases in different populations occupationally or accidentally exposed to ionising radiation (Gundy et al, 1984;Al-Sabti et al, 1992;Lazutka and Dedonyte, 1995). Nevertheless, the data are in contrast to the results previously reported where no significant increases in SCE frequency in lymphocytes were detected from people exposed to ionising radiation (Littlefield, 1982;Brandom et al, 1990). However, no data regarding curcumin's genotoxic effects are available.…”

mFISH analysis of chromosome aberrations in workers occupationally exposed to mixed radiation

“…Early in vivo studies which performed a routine staining did not reveal an increased chromosome aberration yield in workers exposed to internal alpha-radiation (Dolphin 1971;Hempelmann et al 1973;Voelz et al 1985), while Brandom et al (1979Brandom et al ( , 1990 reported an increase in dicentrics, rings, inversions and translocations in Rocky Flats workers after plutonium-239 aerosol inhalation. The authors concluded that the increase in chromosome aberration yield was attributed to internal exposure to plutonium-239 rather than to external gamma-rays.…”

“…Unstable and stable chromosome aberrations (dicentrics and translocations, respectively) have been established as biological markers of external radiation exposure (Bauchinger et al 2001;IAEA 2001IAEA , 2011Edwards et al 2005Edwards et al , 2007Tucker 2008). However, in vivo studies on the effects of internal alpha-radiation to the human genome are sparse and the data often inconsistent, since the majority of data on aberration induction with alpha emitters stem from in vitro investigations (Brandom et al 1990;Testard et al 1997;Anderson et al 2000Anderson et al , 2003Anderson et al , 2005Anderson et al , 2006Boei et al 2001;George et al 2001;Moquet et al 2001;Barquinero et al 2004;Okladnikova et al 2005Okladnikova et al , 2009Tawn and Whitehouse 2005;Hada et al 2007;Janet et al 2008;Curwen et al 2012). Currently, there are no data on the consequences of mixed prolonged occupational exposure with internal and external IR sources with respect to translocation yield and persistence.…”

Chronic Health Risks from Aggregate Exposures to Ionizing Radiation and Chemicals: Scientific Basis for an Assessment Framework

“…Brandom, McGavran, Bistline, and Bloom (41) analyzed the frequency of CAs and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in plutonium workers with different levels of internal and external irradiation, and occupational exposure to single or multiple chemicals (e.g., benzene, trichloroethylene). Their results could only demonstrate a significant increase in CA frequencies in cells of workers who had an intake of plutonium greater than 740 Bacquerels (Bq).…”