Cytogenetic monitoring by use of the micronucleus assay among hospital workers exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation

• Published in: Mutation research Vol. 629; no. 2; pp. 111 - 121
• Main Authors: Sari-Minodier, I., Orsière, T., Auquier, P., Martin, F., Botta, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 18-05-2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Centromere-micronucleus assay; Cytogenetics; DNA Damage; DNA Probes; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Hospital workers; Human lymphocytes; Humans; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Male; Medical sciences; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective - radiation effects; Micronucleus Tests; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Occupational Exposure; Occupational radiation exposure; Personnel, Hospital; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Toxicology; Hospital workers; Occupational radiation exposure; Human lymphocytes; Centromere-micronucleus assay; Human; Mutagenicity testing; Low dose; Chromosome; Occupational exposure; Ionizing radiation; Toxicology; Centromere; Surveillance; Micronucleus; Cytogenetics; Irradiation; Genetics; Lymphocyte
• ISSN: 1383-5718; 0027-5107; 1879-3592
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2007.01.009

The aim of this study was to assess occupationally induced chromosomal damage in a large population of hospital workers exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation. We used the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay in the peripheral lymphocytes of 132 exposed workers compared with 69 controls matched for gender, age and smoking habits. The CBMN assay was combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization with a human pan-centromeric DNA probe in 32 exposed subjects and 30 controls randomly chosen from the initial populations. Occupational dosimetry records were collected over the last 10-year period and revealed very low exposure levels. The average binucleated micronucleated cell rate (BMCR) was significantly higher in the exposed subjects than in the controls (14.9‰
±
8.1 versus 11.8‰
±
6.5;
P
=
0.011). About one-third of the micronuclei were centromere-negative in the exposed and control groups. BMCR significantly positively correlated with donor age in the exposed population; this correlation was at the border of significance in the control group. In the two groups, BMCR was significantly greater in females than in males, and the significant correlation between age and BMCR was observed in the female population, but not in the male one. No effect of smoking habits emerged. Univariate analysis revealed a possible influence of familial cancer history and diagnostic medical radiation dose (estimated from examinations reported in the questionnaire) on BMCR. Multiple regression analysis, taking into account all the previous confounding factors, showed that only occupational exposure status, gender and age had a significant effect on BMCR. In conclusion, the present study shows that chromosomal damage leading to micronucleated lymphocytes is more frequent in hospital workers exposed to ionizing radiation than in controls, despite the very low levels of exposure.