Induction of chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes by monochromatic X-rays of quantum energy between 4.8 and 14.6 keV.
The induction of chromosome aberrations was studied in human peripheral blood lymphocytes irradiated in vitro with synchrotron-produced monochromatic soft X-rays of quantum energy in a range between 4.8 and 14.6 keV. These X-rays were more effective in producing chromosome aberrations (dicentrics and rings) than 60Co gamma-rays. The efficiency increased with increasing LET of the photoelectrons and their associated Auger electrons, reaching a maximum at a track average LET (L delta = 100, T) of around 4 keV/microns, and tended to decrease or become rather refractory with further increase of LET. This unique LET dependency was consistent with the dual nature of chromosome aberration formation, and interpreted as a reflection of a limited range of photoelectrons as compared with the size and intranuclear geometry of the elemental chromatin fibres as vehicles of damage interaction.
Sasaki
M S
MS
Radiation Biology Center, Kyoto University, Japan.
Kobayashi
K
K
Hieda
K
K
Yamada
T
T
Ejima
Y
Y
Maezawa
H
H
Furusawa
Y
Y
Ito
T
T
Okada
S
S
D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004735:Energy Transfer; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness