Use of various microdosimetric models for the prediction of radon induced damage in human lungs

After smoking, exposure to radon and its progeny is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The probability of inducing lung carcinomas by inhaled radon progeny depends on the deposited radiation dose, and is significantly affected by physiological and morphometric changes induced by smoking. Due to irritation of the airways, the inhalation of cigarette smoke leads to the hyperproduction of mucus. Two concurrent processes occur: on one hand, increased production of mucus protects the target cells against radiation damage; on the other hand, in the case of long‐term smokers, a chronic lung obstruction develops, causing an increase in the radiation dose to the lungs. Depending on the duration and intensity of smoking, these processes contribute to the final radiation dose with different weights. The primary objective of this study was to investigate to what extent these smoke‐induced changes can modify the resulting absorbed dose of inhaled radon progeny relative to healthy nonsmokers. Since the bronchial dose depends on the degree of lung tissue damage, we have used this dose as a tool for detecting the effects of smoking on the lung epithelium. In other words, the biological effect of radon served as a tracer of changes induced by smoking.

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“…These spheres were placed equidistantly in the lung tissue at 10 µm intervals (Fig. ) (Böhm, Nikodémová, & Holý, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radon as a Tracer of Lung Changes Induced by Smoking

et al. 2019

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“…A previous attempt to estimate concentration of deposited aerosols was performed by Böhm et al (2003). They used an empirical estimate of lung deposition and a simple assumption of a constant thickness of the ASL layer in a single generation.…”

Section: Modelling Mucus and The Airway Surface Liquid Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the Likelihood of Success in Trials and the Efficiency of Delivery of Mucolytics and Antibiotics

Lange¹

2012

Cystic Fibrosis - Renewed Hopes Through Research

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“…Most of the current models simulating the effect of inhaled radionuclides are based on the assumption that the deposited particles are uniformly distributed along the airways (Nikezic et al 2002, Böhm et al 2003. However, there is experimental evidence that deposition patterns are highly non-uniform within airway bifurcations (Martin and Jacobi 1972, Kinsara et al 1995, Kim and Fisher 1999.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-linear relationship of cell hit and transformation probabilities in a low dose of inhaled radon progenies

et al. 2009

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Cellular hit probabilities of alpha particles emitted by inhaled radon progenies in sensitive bronchial epithelial cell nuclei were simulated at low exposure levels to obtain useful data for the rejection or support of the linear-non-threshold (LNT) hypothesis. In this study, local distributions of deposited inhaled radon progenies in airway bifurcation models were computed at exposure conditions characteristic of homes and uranium mines. Then, maximum local deposition enhancement factors at bronchial airway bifurcations, expressed as the ratio of local to average deposition densities, were determined to characterise the inhomogeneity of deposition and to elucidate their effect on resulting hit probabilities. The results obtained suggest that in the vicinity of the carinal regions of the central airways the probability of multiple hits can be quite high, even at low average doses. Assuming a uniform distribution of activity there are practically no multiple hits and the hit probability as a function of dose exhibits a linear shape in the low dose range. The results are quite the opposite in the case of hot spots revealed by realistic deposition calculations, where practically all cells receive multiple hits and the hit probability as a function of dose is non-linear in the average dose range of 10-100 mGy.

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Use of various microdosimetric models for the prediction of radon induced damage in human lungs

Cited by 9 publications

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Radon as a Tracer of Lung Changes Induced by Smoking

Radon as a Tracer of Lung Changes Induced by Smoking

Improving the Likelihood of Success in Trials and the Efficiency of Delivery of Mucolytics and Antibiotics

Non-linear relationship of cell hit and transformation probabilities in a low dose of inhaled radon progenies

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